The Lowdown on Ladybugs

Find out why they're not actually bugs and other curious facts

- JILL STAAKE

As well-known garden guests, ladybugs are charismatic and beloved. They're fascinating too-as these tidbits prove.

Ladybugs Aren't Bugs

It's true! Instead, they're properly called lady beetles. Gary Parsons of Michigan State University's Department of Entomology explains that true bugs have beaklike sucking mouthparts, which ladybugs lack. "They have chewing mouthparts, and their front wings are hardened into shells called elytra," Gary says.

Living Around the Globe

The Coccinellidae family is made up of about 6,000 species around the world. North America has around 500 varieties, though not all are native. One of the most emblematic, the seven spotted lady beetle (Coccinella septempunctata), was introduced from Europe to help control agricultural pests. A similar species, the nine-spotted lady beetle (C. novemnotata), is native, although it's now rare.