Ladybug

Overview

Coccinellidae is a widespread family of small beetles. They are commonly known as ladybugs in North America and ladybirds in the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, and other English speaking territories; "lady" refers to Saint Mary. Entomologists use the names ladybird beetles or lady beetles to avoid confusion with true bugs. The more than 6,000 described species have a global distribution and are found in a variety of habitats. They are oval beetles with a domed back and flat underside. Many of the species have conspicuous aposematic (warning) colors and patterns, such as red with black spots, that warn potential predators that they taste bad.