Adalia bipunctata is called two spotted ladybug because it has two black spots, one in the middle of each of two orange colored fore wings (elytra). Both adults and larvae of two- spotted ladybugs feed on many species of aphids, other soft bodied insects like scale insects, mealybugs, psyllids and spider mites infesting different vegetables, field crops, ornamentals and herbs. These beetles also feed on the eggs of different insect pests.
Adults: Adults of two-spotted ladybug are about 4- 5 mm long, oval shaped and orange colored. The prothorax is black colored with two white spots on each of its sides and one white spot on its top. The head of an adult is also black colored with two small white spots.
Larvae: The mature larvae of two spotted ladybugs look like small alligators and are black in color. They have whitish or yellowish spots on its first abdominal segment and two orange colored spots on their fourth abdominal segment.
Pupae: The pupae of two-spotted ladybugs are blackish in color with yellow dots.
- + Effective against the following Aphids and other soft bodied insect pests
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- Black bean aphids, Aphis fabae
- Black cherry aphid, Myzus cerasi
- Rosy apple aphids, Dysaphis plantaginea
- Willow aphids, Cavariella spp.
- Asian citrus psyllids,Diaphorina citri
- Mealybugs
- Spider Mites and their eggs
- Scale insects
- Thrips
- +In which crops two- spotted lady beetles can be used
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- Bean crops
- Cucumber
- Eggplant
- Green pepper
- Hot pepper
- Strawberry
- Watermelon
- Nursery plants
- Anthurium
- Gerbera
- Roses
- + How do two spotted Lady beetles, Adalia bipunctata control aphids and other soft bodied insects?
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- When two-spotted lady beetles are released in the aphid colonies, they will immediately start eating all the stages of aphids.
- While feeding on aphids, female lady beetles can lay on about 20 eggs daily on the twigs, leaves and stems of the host plants.
- These eggs hatch into small grubs within a week. Then hatched young grubs will immediately start feeding on different stages of aphids.
- As compared to the adults, mature larvae of two spotted lady beetles can destroy hundreds of aphids daily.
- They are known to destroy hot spots of aphid colonies within a short period of time.
- + Why you need them?
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Because we can use them to control soft bodied insect pests that cause tremendous damage to our organic vegetables and ornamentals. Also, these biological control agents have a wide host range and can be easily introduced in the gardens and nurseries.
- + Why they are safer than traditional pesticides
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- they are not harmful to children, pets and the environment.
- they do not harm plants and like pesticides, there is no question of leaving any toxic chemical residue on the produce that is ready to eat.
- do not cause any harm to the personnel involved in their production or application.
- Therefore, any produce including all vegetables are safe to handle and eat when they are treated with two spotted lady betles.
- + Read Fact Sheets
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- https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Adalia_bipunctata/
- https://nzacfactsheets.landcareresearch.co.nz/factsheet/InterestingInsects/Two-spotted-ladybird---Adalia-bipunctata.html
