Ladybug Anatomy

Though they have the word “bug” in their name, ladybugs aren't true bugs

- they're beetles! The beetle family is large; they make up almost 40% of all

insects and live all over the world. While all insects share characteristics (for

example, all insect bodies are divided into a head, a thorax and an

abdomen), ladybugs and other beetles have unique features that can

help casing is made up of the pronotum and the elytra. The pronotum is

part of the thorax and sits directly behind the ladybug’s head, protecting it.

The elytra are hard wing cases. They protect the ladybug’s transparent

hind wings which are attached to the thorax, and the abdomen, which

houses the ladybug’s organs.

Besides their tough outer shell, lady bugs have several other defense

mechanisms. The bright colors of a ladybug make them fun to look at, but

they’re also a warning! Ladybugs secrete a bad-tasting chemical from

their joints to defend themselves. Ladybugs also play dead to stop

predators from bothering them.

There are 5,000 different species of ladybugs in the world! The ladybug in

your habitat are Pink Spotted Ladybugs, which are native to North

America. These ladybugs have a pinkish shell and each wing features six

black markings, which is why they’re nicknamed the Twelve Spotted Lady

Beetle!