Fun Larch Ladybird Facts For Kids

Carl Linnaeus, a Swedish zoologist, described the larch ladybird for the first time in 1758. They’re also known as larch ladybugs. They have been shown to aid humans in the biological control of aphids based on their biology. These larch ladybirds can be found all over the United Kingdom, as well as mainland Europe, Ukraine, Belarus, the Caucasus, and parts of Russia.The habitation of the larch ladybird, Aphidecta obliterata, is such that they live in peat areas with high bogs, particularly in coniferous and mixed forests. They can also be seen on fir trees and conifers. The adult male and female use chemicals to find the right partner to mate with.They have tan to dark brown and black markings on their head and body, with a fine line from their head to the end of the lower body. They have small brown legs. The larvae and adults are known for the beautiful colors on their bodies. They eat food such as aphids, insects, and bugs. They are so accustomed to living in their habitat that they cannot survive outside of that habitat. Learn some interesting facts about other insects with our ladybird facts and Atlas beetle facts.

What do they prey on? Insects, bugs, eggs, aphids

What do they eat? Insectivores

Average litter size? N/A

How much do they weigh? N/A

How long are they? 0.15-0.19 in (0.4-0.5 cm)

How tall are they? N/A

What do they look like? Brown, yellow, tan, orange, black

Skin Type Scales

What were their main threats? Wasps, Spiders, Frogs, Dragonflies

What is their conservation status? Not Evaluated

Where you’ll find them? Conifers, Pine Trees, Firs

Locations North America And Europe, Asia

Kingdom Animalia

Genus Aphidecta

Class Insecta

Family Coccinellidae

Larch Ladybird Interesting FactsWhat type of animal is a larch ladybird?The larch ladybird, Aphidecta obliterata, is a beautiful small species of ladybird. They are also called larch ladybugs. They have been proven to help humans in the biological control of aphids.What class of animal does a larch ladybird belong to?The larch ladybird belongs to the class Insecta and the family Coccinellidae. They are from the genus Aphidecta and the order Coleoptera.How many larch ladybirds are there in the world?The exact number of these species has not been counted and is unknown.Where does the larch ladybird live?These larch ladybirds are found throughout Britain. The distribution of these species is in Europe, Ukraine, Belarus, the Caucasus, and some parts of Russia. They have also been spotted in minor parts of Asia and North America.What is a larch ladybird’s habitat?The larch ladybird’s, Aphidecta obliterata, habitation is such that they live in peat areas with high bogs, especially conifers and mixed forests. They are also found in temperate needle-leaf forests. If you want to spot them near your house, then they can be also found in gardens, trees, and parks. They are mainly found in Scotch pine trees, or in the cracks of tree trunks.Who do larch ladybirds live with?Larch ladybirds, Aphidecta obliterata, like to live in groups and often form colonies. This also helps them to provide food.How long does a larch ladybird live?The larch ladybird lives up to a year, during which it overwinters (similar to hibernation), and in spring, the adults mate.How do they reproduce?Larch ladybirds can be seen breeding during the summer. They overwinter in tree bark crevices in large colonies. The male and female use chemical smells to choose the right partner with whom to mate. The female larch ladybird produces pheromones to attract or lure the male. When the right mate partner is met, the male holds them tightly and mates. The adult can be seen attached to each other for many hours. The female then stores the sperm of the male before eggs are laid. The eggs are laid on leaves by the adult female in a cluster after one week. The larvae hatch out of the eggs and later take the form of pupa to overwinter.What is their conservation status?Their conservation status has not been evaluated and is unknown.Larch Ladybird Fun FactsWhat do larch ladybirds look like?The Aphidecta obliterata is a small beetle that has an oval-shaped body with a smooth, dense, and shiny elytra. The elytra are convex in shape. The small head-like capsule has an arch-shaped beige pronotum marking which is black-brown in color and would help you for identification these species. They have two antennae pointing downward. The dark line from head to body is evident in them. They are light brown, black, orange, and yellow in color. When they are in their larva stage, they vary in color from light gray to dark gray.How cute are they?Aphidecta obliterata are very cute as they have beautiful color variations. You would indeed rank them three or four on a scale of one to five for cuteness.How do they communicate?The Aphidecta obliterata communicates through pheromones. This chemical-like smell helps them to identify the right partner. They use the color and unique markings of a beige pronotum. This biology helps them to recognize and communicate with each other.How big is a larch ladybird?Larch ladybirds are 0.15-0.19 in (0.4-0.5 cm) long.How fast can a larch ladybird move?The Aphidecta obliterata is categorized among the fast-flying ladybird species, but their exact flying speed is not recorded. In general, ladybirds are believed to fly at a speed of 35 mph (56 kph).How much does a larch ladybird weigh?The weight of the larch ladybird has not been evaluated and is unknown.What are the male and female names of the species?There is no sex-specific name given to the male and female of these species.What would you call a baby larch ladybird?The babies of larch ladybirds are called larvae.What do they eat?They are insectivores on the basis of their food habits. The larvae and the adults both have the same diet and feed on eggs and pupa of butterflies. They prey on small insects. Their favorite diet is aphids such as oleander aphids. They are often seen feeding on these aphids and help to control these aphids, which almost work as pests on many plants.Are they harmful?No, they are not harmful and rather they help with aphid control. The reports and evidence of larch ladybirds causing harm have not been reported and they are not even poisonous. They have predators such as frogs, wasps, and spiders.Would they make a good pet?Yes, they would make a good pet because they are good at controlling insects like aphids, which are categorized as pests. They are friendly and not at all harmful to humans.Did you know…The seven-spot ladybird is one of the most obvious ladybirds and is well known among the younger generation. They are from the genus Coccinella. The larvae of these species are gray in color with dark bright orange small blotches on them. The legs are black in color near their upper body. The larva and adults are totally different in their color and identification markings.What does it mean when you see a larch ladybird?If you spot a larch ladybird, consider yourself fortunate enough as your wish will be granted soon. They are signs of good luck, fortune, and prosperity.Why are they called larch ladybirds?They are called larch ladybirds because their habitat is such that they live in needled conifers, firs, and pine trees. They live on the larch coniferous tree from which their name comes.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! For more relatable content, check out these interesting water beetle facts and dragonfly fun facts for kids.You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable ladybug coloring pages.Main image by Kurt Kulac.Second image by Gilles San Martin.

What type of animal is a larch ladybird?

The larch ladybird, Aphidecta obliterata, is a beautiful small species of ladybird. They are also called larch ladybugs. They have been proven to help humans in the biological control of aphids.

Fun Larch Ladybird Facts For Kids

What do they prey on? Insects, bugs, eggs, aphids

What do they eat? Insectivores

Average litter size? N/A

How much do they weigh? N/A

How long are they? 0.15-0.19 in (0.4-0.5 cm)

How tall are they? N/A

What do they look like? Brown, yellow, tan, orange, black

Skin Type Scales

What were their main threats? Wasps, Spiders, Frogs, Dragonflies

What is their conservation status? Not Evaluated

Where you’ll find them? Conifers, Pine Trees, Firs

Locations North America And Europe, Asia

Kingdom Animalia

Genus Aphidecta

Class Insecta

Family Coccinellidae

Fun Larch Ladybird Facts For Kids

What do they prey on? Insects, bugs, eggs, aphids

What do they eat? Insectivores

Average litter size? N/A

How much do they weigh? N/A

How long are they? 0.15-0.19 in (0.4-0.5 cm)

How tall are they? N/A

What do they look like? Brown, yellow, tan, orange, black

Skin Type Scales

What were their main threats? Wasps, Spiders, Frogs, Dragonflies

What is their conservation status? Not Evaluated

Where you’ll find them? Conifers, Pine Trees, Firs

Locations North America And Europe, Asia

Kingdom Animalia

Genus Aphidecta

Class Insecta

Family Coccinellidae

Fun Larch Ladybird Facts For Kids

What do they prey on? Insects, bugs, eggs, aphids

What do they eat? Insectivores

Average litter size? N/A

How much do they weigh? N/A

How long are they? 0.15-0.19 in (0.4-0.5 cm)

How tall are they? N/A

What do they look like? Brown, yellow, tan, orange, black

Skin Type Scales

What were their main threats? Wasps, Spiders, Frogs, Dragonflies

What is their conservation status? Not Evaluated

Where you’ll find them? Conifers, Pine Trees, Firs

Locations North America And Europe, Asia

Kingdom Animalia

Genus Aphidecta

Class Insecta

Family Coccinellidae