ladybird

Aphid-eating beetle

A ladybird is a small beetle with a rounded, dome-shaped body, typically red or orange with black spots.

The name is chiefly British; Americans usually say ladybug.

Both names reflect old associations with the Virgin Mary.

Ladybirds are welcomed by gardeners because they eat aphids and other plant pests.

appearance

spotted

Seen or patterned

redPrimary color, warm
blackDarkest possible hue
orangeCitrus with segments

yellow · polka-dots · bright · vivid · dome-shaped · shiny · speckled · markings · harlequin · glossy

beetle

elytra

Hardened forewings of beetles

antennaeSensory appendages on insects
thoraxCentral body cavity
mandibleLower facial bone

exoskeleton · chitin · larva · pupa · instar · metamorphosis · coleoptera · invertebrate · arthropod · entomology

luck

fortune

Wealth or destiny

charmAttractive personal quality
wishYearned-for outcome
blessingPrayer seeking divine favor

omen · auspicious · superstition · landing · folklore · symbol · prosperity · serendipity · talisman · favorable

predator

aphid

Sap-sucking garden pest

pest-controlManaging unwanted organisms
preyAnimal being hunted
huntPursuit of quarry

consume · mite · whitefly · thrips · voracious · greenhouse · release

nursery

rhyme

Matching terminal sounds

childrenYoung human beings
songMusical piece with words
folkloreInherited cultural narratives

traditional · verse · childhood · lullaby · counting · gentle · harmless · friendly

Categories

Ladybugs
spotted animalsdalmatian, cheetah, leopard, jaguar, giraffe
beetlesbeetle, beetles, scarab beetle, scarab, scarabs
British Wildlifered deer, badgers, grey squirrel, foxes, otter
bug nicknamesbug, critter, creepy crawly, crawler, pest
red thingsapple, blood, cherry, fire truck, ruby

Opposites

garden pest status

ladybirdaphid

Sap-sucking garden pest

greenfly · blackfly · garden pest · whitefly · spider mite

human affection

ladybirdcockroach

Flattened scavenging household insect

mosquito · bedbug · horsefly · tick · housefly

taxonomic classification

ladybirdstink bug

Odor-releasing hemipteran pest

cicada · aphid · assassin bug · shield bug · leafhopper

Phrases

ladybird beetleSpotted garden beetle

Family

Familiarity: Top 200,000
Profile: Known to kids · Timeless · Concrete · Positive · Everyday, not technical · Rated G