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!
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You are quite the naturalist.
ReplyDeleteThanks Anvilcloud. I am enjoying the learning experience.
DeleteThey are beautiful, you caught them well! And i wouldn't have known that those were ladybug eggs or pupae or larvae, either.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much messymimi. :-)
DeleteA most enjoyable post and wonderful pictures.
ReplyDeleteWe call them ladybirds here in the UK, and gardeners are always happy to see them as they eat blackflies and greenflies that often infest various plants. On the gardening forums people are always asking what the larvae are.
Flighty xx
Thanks Flighty. I'm glad you enjoyed it. :-)
DeleteI love it when your photos tell a tale. :-) How interesting their life cycle is.
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DeleteThanks Didee. I enjoy telling these tales. I learn a lot in the process!
DeleteThat was wonderful. I have just spent a lovely day at Falls of Clyde Nature Reserve in Scotland and was enchanted with your photo-story of the ladybirds. Amazing photos. Subscribed to your blog. Keep loving the amazing creatures we share this world with. :-) Graham (Scotland)
ReplyDeleteHi Graham. I am so pleased that you enjoyed this post and that you have subscribed! I've been very lax in creating new posts but hopefully I will be getting back to it soon. You must have wonderful creatures in Scotland!
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