What Do Ladybugs Eat? | A Simple Guide to Ladybug Diet & Benefits
Ladybugs (also called ladybirds or lady beetles) are small, colorful insects that are loved by gardeners all over the world. Why? Because they eat garden pests and lots of them! These helpful insects are natural predators that keep harmful bugs away from your plants.
Let’s take a closer look at what ladybugs eat, how their diet helps your garden and why they’re considered one of the best natural pest control solutions.
What Do Ladybugs Eat?
Ladybugs mainly eat soft-bodied insects — the ones that often destroy garden plants. But they can also eat other things depending on the species and availability of food.
1. Aphids – Ladybugs’ Favorite Food
Aphids are tiny insects that suck the juices out of plants, causing leaves to curl and wilt.
Ladybugs love to eat aphids.
One adult ladybug can eat 50 aphids a day.
Over its lifetime, a single ladybug might eat 5,000 or more aphids.
This makes them very helpful for protecting vegetables, flowers, and fruit trees.
2. Mites and Other Soft-Bodied Insects
Ladybugs also eat other garden pests, such as:
Spider mites
Whiteflies
Mealybugs
Scale insects
These bugs can damage leaves, spread disease, and weaken your plants. Ladybugs help reduce or eliminate them naturally.
3. Insect Eggs
Ladybugs may also eat the eggs of harmful insects, stopping pests before they even hatch.
4. Pollen and Nectar
Some ladybug species eat pollen and nectar from flowers. This usually happens when insect prey is hard to find.
Bonus: When ladybugs eat pollen, they can also help pollinate flowers!
5. Fungi
If no other food is available, some ladybugs can eat fungi, like powdery mildew. While it’s not their favorite meal, they’ll survive on it in tough conditions.
6. Plant Parts (Rare)
Most ladybugs do not eat plants. But a few species, such as the Mexican bean beetle and the southern corn rootworm ladybug, might eat plant leaves or roots.
These are rare cases, and most ladybugs are not harmful to your garden.
What Do Ladybug Larvae Eat?
Ladybug babies (called larvae) don’t look like adult ladybugs. They look more like little black and orange alligators — and they’re even hungrier!
Ladybug larvae eat aphids, mites, and insect eggs.
One larva can eat hundreds of aphids during its growth.
Ladybug larvae are important because they help reduce pest populations before becoming adults.
What Ladybugs Don’t Eat
Here’s what ladybugs usually don’t eat:
Most plant parts (leaves, stems, roots)
Fruits or vegetables
Wood or bark
Other ladybugs (except in rare cases of extreme hunger)
In short, ladybugs are not plant-eating pests. They are helpful insects that protect your plants, not harm them.
Why Are Ladybugs Good for Your Garden?
Here’s why you want ladybugs in your garden:
Natural Pest Control
They reduce the need for pesticides by eating harmful bugs.
Safe for Plants
Ladybugs don’t damage your flowers, veggies, or trees.
Eco-Friendly
No chemicals. No pollution. Just natural balance.
Great for Organic Gardens
Perfect for those practicing organic farming or gardening.
Conclusion
Ladybugs are tiny garden heroes. Their diet consists mostly of aphids, mites, insect eggs, and other soft-bodied bugs that harm plants. Some species also eat pollen, nectar, fungi, and very rarely, plant parts.
Whether they are larvae or adults, ladybugs are always hungry for pests. That makes them one of the best natural pest control options for home gardens and farms alike.
