How exactly do ladybugs reproduce? They reproduce sexually! Ladybugs have a breeding season which is usually during May, but can mate between Spring and into early Summer, which lasts up to two months. Each species of ladybug has its own pheromones which are used to attract a mate. After mating, the female can carry the male’s sperm for about 2-3 months before deciding to use it to fertilize her eggs. This allows the female to locate the best spot to lay her eggs.

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There are two main components which affect where a female Ladybug lays her eggs. 

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-The first would be the availability of food. The more abundant the food (located nearby aphids colonies, in which they consume), the greater the chance Ladybug eggs will be found.

-The second factor is the shelter where the eggs are laid. The female wants her eggs to survive away from any predators, so they are often found under eaves and in shaded areas which stay away from plain view.

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According to ThoughtCo (2020), after mating, the ladybug’s life cycle begins with a cluster of 30 eggs. One she has found a suitable spot for her eggs to hatch, in two to 10 days, the ladybug larvae emerge from their eggs. During this stage, the larvae feed voraciously, eating 350-400 aphids, and become fully grown in only 2 weeks. Once it grows larger, it begins to be too big for its outer soft shell, then it molts. After molting, the larva is then in the second larval stage, and usually molts within larval stages before preparing to pupate. In order to be ready to pupate or metamorphose, the larvae attach to a leaf or flat surface. 

 

Once in the pupal stage, its body remains completely still while undergoing transformation, which is directed by histoblasts. Histoblasts control a biochemical process where the larva’s body is broken down and reformed into an adult. This stage lasts for 7-15 days. 

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After becoming a new adult, they start by having soft exoskeletons, which makes them more vulnerable to predators until their exoskeletons harden. At first, their colors are pale and yellow, then later develop brighter and deeper colors.