- Author: Denise Godbout-Avant
Overwintering
Once a ladybug has found an ideal location to spend the winter, it will release species-specific pheromones to call other ladybugs to the area. By congregating together with hundreds of other ladybugs they gain some protection from the cold and reduce opportunities for potential predators to consume them while they are in a dormant state.
Unlike some troublesome pests that can occupy areas in and around your home, such as spiders, moths or ants, overwintering ladybugs are mostly a charming nuisance.
Ending Diapause
The lady beetles in Ted's truck have been arriving sometime in late autumn as the weather cools down and remain there until spring when the temperatures warm up. Ted has enjoyed having the lady beetles take residence in his truck during these past few years and hopes they will be back this fall. Hopefully, as they depart his pickup doors this spring, they will eat any aphids that may be in his garden before moving on, as a “thank you” for giving them winter shelter.
Resources
- Multicolored Lady Beetle - https://ipm.ucanr.edu/natural-enemies/multicolored-asian-lady-beetle/
- Convergent Lady Beetle – https://ipm.ucanr.edu/natural-enemies/convergent-lady-beetle/