Ladybugs in the Organic Garden
Use These Beneficial Insects to Provide Biological Pest Control
Dec 19, 2007
Identify Ladybugs
Although most gardeners are familiar with the ladybug as a small round, red beetle with black spots, ladybugs come in different shapes and colors. There are more than 5000 species of ladybugs, several hundred of which you can find in North American gardens. Ladybugs can be predominantly black with red spots, yellow with black spots, or solid red. The different species favor different garden pests, but the favorite prey of ladybugs can include aphids, scale, whiteflies, mites, and mealybugs.
If you’ve created a suitable habitat for ladybugs in the organic garden, you must learn to recognize the larvae as well, for they consume as many pests as their adult counterparts. Ladybug larvae have similar markings as the adults, but their bodies are elongated, and appear ridged or spiky.
Attract Ladybugs
Unfortunately, the very thing that attracts ladybugs is the thing we want to rid our gardens of. However, your organic garden doesn’t need to become overrun by pests to garner the attention of this beneficial insect. Ladybugs consume the nectar of many desirable garden plants, so you can attract them by planting yarrow, roses, butterfly weed, and marigolds.
Purchase Ladybugs
Although you might be tempted to purchase mass quantities live ladybugs when you discover clusters of aphids sucking the life out of your roses, this won’t achieve better pest control. Calculate your garden size, and plan to release approximately 10 to 20 ladybugs per 100 square feet.
Some commercially sold ladybugs are infected with parasitoids, which will not only destroy your investment, but can also infect the native ladybug population in your garden. Find out if your supplier is a member of the Association of Natural Biocontrol Producers, which encourages strict quality standards.
Retain Ladybugs
As winged insects, ladybugs fly elsewhere if their needs for food and water aren’t met in your garden. If you plan to release purchased ladybugs into your garden, mist your plants thoroughly to provide hydration to ladybugs. Release them at night, when conditions are calm and their activity lessens. Don’t shake the bag or container to encourage them to vacate their confinement; place the open bag on the ground beside the infested plants. If you receive your ladybugs on a windy day or you must delay their release for another reason, you can keep them safely in the refrigerator for a week.
Consider the effect any organic pesticides may have on your ladybug population before use. Neem oil and insect soap kills ladybugs in addition to other garden pests like Japanese beetles.
Ladybug Infestation
Ladybugs seek a safe harbor from winter weather, as anyone with a sudden influx of these winged invaders can tell you. Provide them with an acceptable alternative by piling straw or dead leaves in an area of the garden with the highest ladybug activity.
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