Sunday, August 31, 2014

Ladybug life cycle

I have had the good fortune to find a number of ladybugs this year in all phases of the life cycle.  I must say that I didn't know what I was looking at half the time and only my searches on the Internet enlightened me.  Now I am fascinated!


I pondered where to start this cycle (the age old chicken versus egg dilemma) but why not start with "love". :-)


A beautiful cluster of eggs!


The larva.  Some people have described it as looking like a miniature alligator.


Here is the same larva in its defensive pose.  I guess I got too close!  Very Hallowe'enish to my mind.


The pupa.  According to what I have read, the larva encases itself in a shell and becomes a pupa within which it transforms into the adult form.


Interestingly, the pupa does "headstands" every so often.  I have yet to find an explanation for this. Perhaps it is necessary for metamorphosis or is an attempt to avoid predation.


The fully formed adult!