what do ladybirds eat

Ladybirds primarily eat soft-bodied insects, with their favorite food being aphids. They also eat mites, mealybugs, small spiders, insect eggs (such as those of the Colorado Potato Beetle and European Corn Borer), and other small insects and mites they can subdue. Some species may also feed on pollen, nectar, mildew, or fungus, especially if prey is scarce. Ladybird larvae are strictly carnivorous. Overall, they are considered effective natural predators in gardens and agricultural settings, consuming thousands of aphids in their lifetime. This diet helps them control pest populations and protect plants.