Insects: Ladybirds (Coccinellidae) - 7Spot-Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata)

The World of Minibeasts

Good Luck and Bad Luck in the Life of Ladybirds: The Enemy (1)

A ladybird that has survived its development without having been eaten by another insect or a bird may be lucky enough to mate and to set off another generation. But the life of a ladybird is far away from being plain luck. Its life is threatened by enemies. According to human standards, a very mean way of taking over another live form's affordings and energies is parasitism.

Die Marienkäfer-Brackwespe greift mit vorgestrecktem Legebohrer an...

During the years José managed to take pictures of the most common parasites of ladybirds. One of those creatures that bring bad luck into the life of ladybirds is Perilitus coccinellae, a braconid which is an insect group related to wasps and bees.

Once it spotted a ladybird, it starts to circle around it with its ovipositor bent forward. The beetle seems to feel uncomfortable and tries to get away from the braconid, but apparently does not realize the full extent of the danger it is in.

Good Luck Multiplying	Eggs	First Strip	Benefit
Mature Larva	Chrysalis	The Enemy (1)	The Enemy (2)
The Enemy (3)	The Enemy's Enemy (1)	The Enemy's Enemy (2)

Photograph by José Verkest, Text by Maria Pfeifer