Ladybug - Adult
 
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Stages of Beetle Metamorphosis
               

Adult Two-spotted Lady Beetle
Once the adult emerges from the pupa (or molts) it is soft and pale colored (i.e. teneral).  In a couple of hours its exoskeleton will harden and develop its adult coloration.  The beetle will retain this coloration and hardened exoskeleton for the rest of it life.  Shortly after molting, the wings are typically small and shriveled and take several minutes to expand to their full size.

Adult ladybugs can live up to nine months.  Their appetite for aphids is unquenchable and they will eat as many as 5000 aphids during their lifetime. A typical adult female will lay from 50 to 100 eggs before it dies.

 
 
     
           
          
           

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