Damon Mcknight
Ladybirds, also known as ladybugs or ladybeetles, are beloved insects that can be found in gardens and parks across Australia. With around 500 species in the country, they are considered lucky and are great buddies to have in your backyard. Ladybirds are voracious predators of aphids, scale insects, and mites, making them popular with gardeners and farmers alike. They are easily identified by their distinctive colours and patterns, ranging from bright orange with black spots to hairy and striped varieties. To attract ladybirds to your garden, you can build a simple ladybird house and grow their favourite herbs and plants, such as coriander or dill, creating a welcoming habitat for these beautiful insects.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of species in Australia | 100-500 |
| Common locations | Gardens, parks, forests, heaths, woodlands |
| States and territories | All except NT, Victoria, WA, Tasmania, and SA |
| Food sources | Insects, aphids, mites, beetle larvae, pollen, sap, nectar, mildew fungus, mealy bugs, scale insects |
| Use in pest control | Yes, especially for aphids and scale insects |
| Ladybird houses | Can be built to provide warmth and safety |
| Ladybird treats | Mixture of honey, water, and brewers yeast |
| Group behaviour | Huddle together for warmth |
| Reflex blood | Yellow goo that is toxic to predators |
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What You'll Learn
In gardens and parks of Australian cities
Ladybirds, also known as ladybugs or ladybeetles, are common in gardens and parks across Australian cities. They are considered lucky in many cultures, and they are also great buddies to have in your backyard. Ladybirds are native to Australia and are popular with gardeners and farmers due to their richly varied patterns, colours, and voracious appetites. Australia is home to over 100 species of ladybirds, with some sources claiming there are about 500 species.
The Vedalia ladybird is one of the most commonly encountered ladybirds in the gardens and parks of Australian cities. It is found in all states and territories except the Northern Territory and Victoria. The Vedalia was also the first biocontrol agent ever used, shipped to the USA in 1888 to control cottony-cushion scale insects in California citrus orchards.
The Transverse ladybird is another common species found in all states and territories except Western Australia and Tasmania. The larvae of this species are creamy white with lines of black dots on their backs and grow up to 8-10 mm.
The Common spotted ladybird is bright orange with black dots on its back and is a voracious predator of aphids, scale insects, and mites. Adults can consume up to 2,500 aphids in their lifetime. The Mealybug ladybird is another celebrated example, exported to the United States in 1891, where it saved the Californian citrus industry from the mealybug plague.
Ladybirds are very common in gardens all around Australia, and they play an essential role in keeping gardens healthy. They are often found feasting on aphids on rose bushes or flying around to check out herbs. You can also attract ladybirds to your garden by building a simple ladybird house or growing their favourite herbs near plants being eaten by aphids, mites, or scale insects.
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On rose bushes and herbs
Ladybirds, also known as ladybugs or ladybird beetles, are common in Australian gardens. They are considered beneficial insects, particularly for rose gardens, as they feast on aphids, mites, and scale insects that can destroy rose plants.
Ladybirds are often found on rose bushes, especially where there are heavy aphid infestations. They can be seen roaming around the infestation, sometimes on the lower leaves of the rose bushes.
To attract ladybirds to your rose bushes, it is important to avoid using any insecticides, as these can harm the ladybirds and destroy their food sources. Instead, you can try planting herbs near your rose bushes, as ladybirds are also fond of herbs such as coriander, fennel, and dill. These herbs not only attract ladybirds but also provide a treat for them to feed on.
In addition to herbs, ladybirds are attracted to certain flowers, such as cosmos, calendulas, and marigolds, which can provide both food and shelter. Ladybirds also need frequent access to water, so ensuring your garden is well-watered can make it more inviting for them.
By providing the right plants, water sources, and a safe habitat, you can create a welcoming environment for ladybirds to visit and feast on any unwanted pests in your rose bushes.
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In all states and territories except WA, SA, Tasmania, and Victoria
Ladybirds can be found in all states and territories of Australia except Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania, and Victoria. The Australian native vedalia ladybird is commonly found in the gardens and parks of Australian cities. The transverse ladybird is found in all states and territories except Western Australia and Tasmania.
The vedalia ladybird became the world's first biocontrol agent in 1888 when it was exported to California to rid citrus orchards of cottony-cushion scale. In 1891, the mealybug ladybird followed and successfully controlled California's citrus mealybug. Today, ladybirds such as the transverse, maculate, and minute two-spotted species control aphid populations, increasing yields in the Australian cotton industry.
Ladybirds are rarely preyed upon because they taste terrible and can further repel predators by emitting a noxious liquid from their leg joints when threatened. The elytra (forewings) of the mealybug ladybird have 28 black spots and are covered in dense short hairs.
In Tasmania, ladybirds have been observed on pear and cherry trees, where they feed on the pear slug larvae and sawflies. The ladybirds found in Tasmania have a bright yellow base with a connected line of black spots zig-zagging across the shell.
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In forests, heaths, and woodlands
Ladybirds, also known as ladybugs or ladybeetles, are considered lucky in many cultures. They are native to Australia and are popular with gardeners and farmers due to their colourful patterns and their appetite for pests.
The Vedalia ladybird was the first-ever biocontrol agent, shipped to the USA in 1888 to control cottony-cushion scale insects in California's citrus orchards. The mealybug ladybird followed in 1891, successfully controlling California's citrus mealy bug. Today, ladybirds continue to be used as biocontrol agents to treat aphid infestations in crop environments.
In addition to the Vedalia and mealybug ladybirds, there are over 500 ladybird species in Australia, with over 100 species found in gardens alone. The vast majority of these are beneficial to gardens, but some are vegetarian and can be pests on crops.
To attract ladybirds to your garden, you can build a simple ladybird house to provide shelter and a place for them to lay their eggs. Growing their favourite herbs, such as coriander, dill, or fennel, near plants that are susceptible to pests can also attract ladybirds. You can also provide an occasional treat by mixing honey with water and a little brewer's yeast and spreading it around the garden.
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In your hand, if you're feeling lucky
Ladybirds, also known as ladybugs or ladybeetles, are considered lucky in many cultures. In fact, killing one is believed to bring sadness and misfortune. If you're feeling lucky, try getting a ladybird to land on your hand. Ladybirds are very common in gardens all around Australia, so you're likely to spot one there. They are especially attracted to gardens with their favourite herbs and plants that are being eaten by aphids, mites, or scale insects. For example, you could grow coriander, fennel, or dill near plants infested by aphids. You can even give ladybirds an occasional treat by mixing honey with water and a little brewer's yeast and spreading it around your garden.
Ladybirds are also found in parks and urban areas of Australia, so you might spot one if you're out and about. The Vedalia ladybird is one of the most commonly encountered ladybirds in these environments. Ladybirds are often brightly coloured and spotty, but they can be many different colours—some are all one colour, some are striped, and some are even hairy!
If you're looking for a specific type of ladybird, you can find out more about the different species in Australia and how to identify them on the CSIRO's Ladybirds of Australia website.
Ladybirds are beneficial to have in your garden as they eat common insect pests that feed on plant sap and damage gardens and crops. They are especially fond of aphids, with adult ladybirds consuming around 2,500 aphids during their lifetime. However, they also eat mites, beetle larvae, pollen, sap, and nectar.
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Frequently asked questions
Ladybirds are very common in gardens all around Australia. They are considered good luck and are great buddies to have in your backyard.
Ladybirds can be many different colours – some are all one colour, some are striped and some are even hairy! They are often brightly coloured and spotty, like in children's books and cartoons.
Most ladybird species eat insects, aphids, mites, beetle larvae, pollen, sap and nectar. Ladybirds are voracious predators of aphids, consuming around 2,500 aphids in their lifetime.
You can build a simple ladybird house in your garden so they have somewhere warm and safe to shelter or lay eggs. Grow their favourite herbs, such as coriander, fennel, dill and honeydew near any plants that are being eaten by aphids, mites or scale insects.
