Ladybug Science Fair Info
Taxonomy
How Are Ladybugs Classified?
| Kingdom: | Animalia (All animals) |
| Phylum: | Arthopoda (Invertebrates) |
| Class: | Insecta (Insects) |
| Order: | Coleoptera (Beetles.) |
| Family: | Coccinellidae (Lady beetles) |
| Genus: | Hippodamia ( Lady beetle type) |
| Species: | Convergens (specific ladybug) |
Want to know what I can do?
Get To Know The Super COOL Parts Of My Anatomy!
1. Big Mouth
Did you know that I serve as the Ultimate Gardener Helper? Gardeners and farmers love to use me instead of pesticides because I too can save plants from being destroyed, except I do it in a natural way! I like to eat aphids and other bugs that eat plants. By making them my dinner, I can protect crops from being eaten themselves!
Even my larvae eat aphids and other plant eating insects from birth. Did you know by the 6th week of life, we already consume 5,000 aphids! It�s a pretty cool method of pest control don�t you think?!
2. Bright Elytra with Black Spots
My Elytra is a hard shell covering on my back to protect my fragile wings. It is so thin you can see through it!
My pretty Elytra is actually used to make me not so look good to predators. My bright colors tell them that I am not so good to eat. I can actually secrete a foul tasting, orange, fluid from joints in my legs, and will even play dead, if I am threatened by a predator!
Did you know that I come in many different colors such as red, orange, pink, yellow, white or black?
Did you also know that not all species have spots, and those of us who do have spots, lose our spots as we get older?
3. Pronotum
My Pronotum is found behind my flat head and usually has spots. It is used to hide and protect my head!
4. Antennae
My antennae have a special purpose as I use them for touch, smell, and taste! Which reminds me�Did you know that my feet also have a sense of smell?There are other fun insect science fair projects to do. Check out:
Science Fair Butterfly Projects for Kids
Having discovered a fondness for insects while pursuing her degree in Biology, Randi Jones was quite bugged to know that people usually dismissed these little creatures as “creepy-crawlies”.
