Ladybug Food – A Must-Have For Organic Gardeners and Growers

Ladybugs are one of the most valuable insects for organic gardeners and growers. The critters devour many pests and are an essential part of any integrated pest management strategy. To keep ladybugs around for as long as possible, provide a constant source of food and water. NIC’s Ladybug Food is a great choice as it contains pollen, nectar and protein to nourish them.

Female ladybugs lay their eggs in aphid colonies, where they hatch into larvae that look like caterpillars. The aphids are their primary prey, and the voracious appetite of the larvae makes them one of nature’s most effective insect pest predators. They have been known to eat up to 50 aphids per day in lab and field studies, and will consume thousands of aphids over the course of their life.

Once the aphids are eaten, the larvae pupate. As they are transforming into adulthood, they may eat some of the aphids they have devoured. Adult ladybugs feed on a variety of insects, including the eggs of pests such as the Colorado potato beetle and European corn borer, as well as mites and other small bugs that infest gardens. They also consume plant nectar and pollen.

Although a few species of ladybug are herbivorous and will feed on leaves, most prefer shallow flowers like dill, coriander or alyssum which they can reach into. They are also attracted to the fragrance of thyme, sage and rosemary, and they will search for aphids in plants with a strong scent.

Most animals have appetites for five basic nutrients – carbohydrates, fats, proteins, sodium and calcium. A recent study, however, found that aphid-eating ladybugs have a sixth hunger: sterols. These dietary additions are needed for male ladybugs to make sperm and other reproductive hormones.

As the weather cools, the aphid-eating ladybugs move indoors to find a place to spend the winter. They are a familiar sight in houses, attics and along windowsills, where they use powerful pheromones to signal their friends that they have found a nice place to hibernate.

As the ladybugs prepare for their chilly slumber, they will need a steady supply of water to replenish fluids lost during the cold night. They can ingest aphid honeydew (a sugary secretion produced by aphids), or they will absorb moisture from ripe fruit, moist plant tissues, or even mammal sweat. Water is also necessary to maintain the integrity of their wings, which they will need to flex and expand as they fly. To ensure that the critters have enough water to get through the winter, spray or sprinkle their habitat with plenty of water before releasing them. If you have to store your ladybugs, keep them in the refrigerator until late in the day or early morning. They will deteriorate quickly at room temperature. Once the weather warms up, release them at least an hour or two before sunset so that they have ample time to acclimate to their new surroundings. This will help to ensure that they don’t wander off into the wrong neighborhood and cause damage.