table of contents
- Average life expectancy
- food
- Predators
- High death rate
- frequently asked Questions
The ladybird is an important beneficial insect in the garden. If they find a suitable living environment, this has a positive effect on the lifespan, because the beetles can live for several years.
In a nutshell
- ladybugs often only survive one winter
- they live an average of three years
- maximum lifespan of eleven years
- The number of points does not provide any information on age
- mainly the beetles die in winter during hibernation
Average life expectancy
How old the ladybirds (Coccinellidae) can get depends on many factors. Theoretically, the beetles can live up to eleven years. However, only a few of these lucky beetles reach this age.
Often the beetles do not survive the first year of life. The Ladybug up to three years old. So far, however, little observations have been made about how many of the beetles reach what age. Under good conditions, such as a protected observation area, the maximum life can be reached without any problems.
Note: Life expectancy can be increased in ladybirds if they have suitable roosts to hibernate. Those who do not cut shrubs that have faded in autumn offer the insects many opportunities to retreat over the winter.
food
Food also affects the life expectancy of ladybugs. One reason why the beetles are valued beneficial insects in the garden is their almost endless hunger for Aphids. The ladybird larvae in particular eat large amounts of pests.
Other food sources of ladybirds:
- Scale insects
- Spider mites
- Bed bugs
- Fringed winged
- occasionally different mushrooms
- occasionally plant foods such as pollen
In order to offer the beetles an optimal habitat in the garden and thereby give them the chance of a long life, you do not have to be conscious Food sources provide. It is often sufficient to have a few untouched corners in the garden where nature can unfold. As a rule, there are aphids on plants such as the yarrow (Achillea millefolium) or the meadow knapweed (Centaurea jacea), which are a source of food for the beetles.
Predators
The lifespan of the beetle is usually significantly shortened due to predators. Although the beetle can ward off predators with its warning color and also releases a defensive secretion that smells unpleasant, this does not always protect the insects.
The main enemies include:
- Birds
- Lizards
- be crazy
- frogs
- Shrews
There are also insects that feed on ladybirds. One of these is the ladybird brackish wasp (Dinocampus coccinellae), the larvae of which feed parasitically on ladybirds.
High death rate
Very few beetles survive in nature for more than one winter. The beetles have the highest mortality rate winter. The beetles are susceptible to various infections from viruses, bacteria or fungi. Because of this, few beetles survive the winter.
In addition, there is the problem of disturbance of hibernation. This happens when the beetles are accidentally carried into a warm place and they wake up from hibernation. Often nature itself ensures a high mortality rate for the beetles. Short-term warm periods in spring with subsequent frost or snow have a similar effect. The beetles wake up, need a lot of energy, and as soon as it gets cold again, they go into hibernation again. Often they lack the energy to wake up again from their winter dormancy.
Tip: If you accidentally bring a beetle indoors, immediately release it outdoors. Put the beetle in a sheltered place, such as a pile of wood or under a pile of leaves.
frequently asked Questions
No, you do not have to provide the beetles with your own nesting aids in the garden. It is sufficient if you do not cut shrubs and plants that have flowered until late spring before they sprout and only then clear away the leaves in the garden. The beetles also like to hibernate in tree hollows or in tall grass.
From a temperature of 8 ° C, the body functions of ladybirds start working again. Therefore, anyone who accidentally takes a beetle into the house and quickly brings it out again can stop this process without the beetles having to waste large resources.
Sometimes it happens that the Beetles choose houses as their winter quarters. Gaps in doors or windows are places where many bugs can be found. If the beetles disturb the place, collect them carefully and look for a dry and protected roost for the insects in the open air.
It used to be believed that the age of the ladybug could be read from the number of dots. However, this is not the case because the points are retained by the adult beetles.
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