Ladybug Kit

Ladybug kit is a great way to see how ladybugs change from larvae into adult beetles. This science kit allows kids to see the entire metamorphosis process from start to finish in their own Ladybug Land habitat. The attractive diorama-style habitat has a built-in magnifier to allow for up-close observations and a water reservoir “volcano” that provides watering for the ladybugs. This kit includes a fun Ladybug STEM Journal that contains 11 pages of ladybug activities to help kids learn all about these interesting insects.

In nature, ladybugs often eat aphids and other garden pests, which helps keep the plants healthy. When they have eaten enough aphids, the adult ladybugs will lay eggs in the aphids’ leaves or on the ground. After the eggs hatch into larvae, the female ladybugs will carry the aphids away to their Ladybug Land habitat where they will spend the winter. When the weather gets warmer, the larvae will come out of their aphid-filled homes to feed on plants and start the transformation into the adult beetles we are all familiar with.

A ladybug’s spots are a good way to tell it apart from other insects. There are over 5,000 different kinds of ladybugs, and each one has its own special color and pattern. The elytra (wings) of the adult ladybug are red with black spots, but there are also ladybugs that are orange, yellow, and even gray! The elytra of the adult ladybug also protects it from predators. When a ladybug is threatened, it will often ‘play dead’ by tucking its head under its thorax and tucking its legs under its body. This makes it look like a dead bug, so other animals may think twice about trying to eat it.

Unfortunately, Asian lady beetles have become a nuisance in many areas of the United States, flying to buildings in search of overwintering sites. Once indoors, they crawl on windows, walls, and attics and emit a noxious odor and yellowish staining fluid. Sealing cracks and other openings is the best way to prevent annual ladybug invasions, but this can be a time-consuming task.

While a ladybug may bite if it feels its life is in danger, it has no intention of hurting humans. In fact, ladybugs only ‘bite’ if it is trying to defend itself or its young from a hungry predator. If a person accidentally bites a ladybug while handling it, the insect will most likely feel like a pin prick and will not cause any lasting damage. However, if the bite is from an angry or territorial ladybug, it could be more serious. Consult a doctor if the bite is painful or swollen.