The Coccinellidae Family - Lieveheersbeestje

One of the succulent plants in our garden has become a place of 'refuge' for aphids. Over the last couple of months I've discovered an abundance of life living off the colony of aphids.  I started taking photos only days after discovering the first few eggs of a bug that belongs to the Coccinellidae family.  Here is their story:

Fully Grown Ladybird

Coccinellids are predatory bugs that feed on aphids, mealybugs and scale insects.  Sometimes if there's a food shortage they will even feed on the eggs and larvae of moths and other insects.  The bright colours of the elytra, which  protect the flight wings underneath, serve as a warning to potential predators that  diner will leave a bad tast in their "mouths" if they feast on it.  Ladybirds can secrete a fluid from the joints in their legs which gives them a foul taste.

Ladybird Feeding On A Larva.

Ladybird Feeding On A Mealy Bug

Brightly Coloured Eggs

When possible, mating will always take place close to a colony of aphids.   The yellow eggs are only about a millimeter in length and spindle shaped. Six-legged larvae emerge from the eggs within 3 - 5 days.  As soon as they hatch, they consume as many aphids as they can - up to almost 20 per day!!!  It uses its sharp jaws to crush the aphid's body and sucks out the juices.

Alligator-like Larva

Once the larva has reached full size, it will attach itself to a leave or stem of a plant.  A split will appear along its backside to expose the pupa underneath. After a few days a lady bug will emerge - the spots on the elytra will only appear after approximately 24 hours.

'Brand Spanking New' Ladybird

I have not been able to capture all the phases of  this amazing insect's life cycle on 'film'  - hopefully with the number of aphids in our garden, this will soon be rectified.