Pre-Fed Ladybugs

LIVE DELIVERY GUARANTEE Must have general predators! TARGET PESTS Aphids, Mealybugs, Mites, Thrips, & many other soft-bodied insects.   DESCRIPTION Scientific Name: Hippodamia convergens Also known as the convergent lady beetle, LADYBUGS are among the most recognized garden allies. They exhibit the typical round dome shape of the Coccinellidae family, measure about 5-8mm, and have red to orange colored wing covers adorned with black spots. They are distinguishable from other lady beetles by the prominent black and white lines that converge behind the head. Both adults and larvae will actively seek and feed on a wide range of small insects, and occasionally nectar and honeydew. Adults can thrive for weeks or months in a variety of temperatures and humidity levels, as long as they have adequate food and water. In some cases, they may even overwinter in cracks and crevices. The full life cycle, from egg to adult, takes approximately 2-3 weeks. Females seek out aphid colonies and lay small clusters of 200 to over 1,000 yellow spindle-shaped eggs on the undersides of leaves. In about 3-5 days, the eggs hatch into dark, alligator-like larvae with three pairs of legs. These larvae actively seek prey for the next 10-30 days, sometimes traveling as far as 40 feet. After full development, the larvae undergo pupation for 3-12 days in a protective pupae attached to a leaf or stem until emerging as fully formed adults. Our carefully chosen ladybugs go through a special cleaning and feeding process to make sure they are in tip-top condition. We include a food and drink source in each retail package to keep them ready for action. LADYBUG LIFE-CYCLE: Egg: 2-5 days  |  Larvae: 21 days  |  Pupa: 7 days  |  Adult: 1 year   TEMPERATURE 33-105°F INTRODUCTION RATES LIGHT INFESTATION: Introduce 1 ladybug per square foot, monthly. MODERATE INFESTATION: Introduce 1 ladybug per square foot, bi-weekly, 2-3 times. HEAVY INFESTATION: Introduce 1 ladybug per square foot, weekly, 2-4 times. It's important to note that these release rates serve as general guidelines and may vary based on the specific pest species, the crop or plant being treated, and level of infestation. Proper monitoring of the infestation and the subsequent effectiveness of the released beneficial insect population is crucial for determining the success of the biological control strategy. HOW TO RELEASE: Introduce ladybugs in the early morning, evening, or on a cloudy day when the temperatures are cooler.  Mist leaves to improve ladybug habitat. Misting the foliage beforehand may improve performance. With ample food and moisture, ladybugs can begin to reproduce immediately. Introduce ladybugs at the base of the plants. Introduce multiple times throughout the growing season to stay ahead of the pest lifecycle.   GOOD BUG DIET Feeds: Ladybugs, Green Lacewings, and other natural predators. A food supplement that contains fats, proteins, fiber, calcium, phosphorus, sodium, amino acids, vitamins, lactose, and sucrose for your good bugs. Learn More STORAGE CONSUMER STORAGE: For best results introduce immediately. Store at 36-45°F for no longer than 30 days. RETAIL STORAGE: Enjoy a shelf life of 30 days. Keep them away from direct sunlight, and if you’re storing them in the fridge at 36-45°F, they can last up to 4 weeks without watering. When they’re on display, give them a light mist once a week. To make them last even longer, switch them between display and the fridge each week. PRO TIPS: Proper identification of the pest species is important. Monitoring the crop closely and introducing beneficial insects early will help in control pest populations. Pesticides, even wetting agents, and spreader-stickers may adversely affect beneficial insects' survival. Broad spectrum and systemic insecticides are toxic.