Don't Kill Your Friends

Larva of Coleomegilla maculata, pink spotted lady beetle © Beatriz Moisset

Please, don't go about killing any bug in sight. Some of the ugly ones are your best friends. Take the little "alligator" shown here. If you look closely you will notice that it is devouring aphids.

Same as above, notice the aphids being eaten © Beatriz Moisset

 
The aphids escape notice at first sight. They are the ones that are sapping the juices from your plants and this little guy is going around vacuuming them as fast as it can.

Adult Coleomegilla maculata on spring beauty © Beatriz Moisset

And here is the kicker, that ugly bug will turn into a ladybug when it is fully grown.And remember that it probably eats more aphids at this stage than when it is fully grown. So, if you think about it, maybe it isn't ugly after all. It is beginning to look rather pretty, don't you think?

Polished lady beetle © Beatriz Moisset

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© Beatriz Moisset. 2012