coccinelles

Coccinellidae, commonly known as lady beetles or ladybugs, is a family of small beetles in the order Coleoptera. With thousands of described species, coccinellids are distributed worldwide, especially in temperate and tropical regions.

Most species are oval and dome-shaped, 2–10 mm long, and bear brightly colored elytra, often red, orange, or yellow with black spots. Adults lay yellow eggs near aphid colonies; eggs hatch into larvae that resemble tiny alligators, followed by pupation and emergence of winged adults.

Ecologically, many coccinellids are predators of aphids, scale insects, mealybugs, and other pests, feeding at both larval and adult stages. Some feed on pollen or fungi. They are valued in agriculture as biological control agents, though a few species can feed on plants or become pests themselves, and some non-native species can disrupt local ecosystems.

Behaviorally, many species overwinter as adults in sheltered locations, forming groups in crevices, under bark, or inside buildings. They may cluster on sunny walls in autumn and reappear on warm days.

Defense and interactions: bright coloration can warn predators of chemical defenses; many species reflexively discharge a foul-smelling fluid when threatened. Natural enemies include birds, parasitic wasps, and entomopathogenic fungi.