Ladybugs primarily eat aphids, which are small, wingless insects. They also consume a variety of other small insects and insect eggs, including small spiders, mealy bugs, and mites. Some ladybugs feed on nectar, pollen, and mildew that forms on plants, while others may eat plant parts like stems. Additionally, ladybugs drink water and aphid honeydew, a sweet liquid produced by some insects after they eat plants. Here is a comprehensive list of what ladybugs commonly eat:
- Aphids
- Mites
- Pollen
- Nectar
- Mildew
- Insect eggs
Ladybugs are beneficial insects for controlling pests in gardens and can consume up to 5,000 aphids in their lifetime. They are also capable of eating a variety of other insects and larvae, including scales, mealy bugs, leaf hoppers, and various types of soft-bodied insects.
