The black spots on the back of ladybugs usually serve as a means of defense by scaring off potential predators, making them believe that the ladybugs are larger and potentially dangerous.
The black spots on the backs of ladybugs are not just for decoration. They mainly allow scientists and experts to easily identify different species. In fact, each species has a specific number of spots that rarely varies — it's a bit like a natural barcode. For example, the famous seven-spot ladybug (Coccinella septempunctata) is easily recognizable by its seven black spots, while other species may have two, five, or even more than twenty! These distinctive patterns allow for quick and reliable identification in the field, without having to catch every specimen for close inspection.
The strategy behind these famous black spots is called aposematism. It consists of clearly warning predators that we are not good to eat (or even downright toxic). Ladybugs indeed produce chemical substances with a very unpleasant taste and smell for birds or other predatory insects. As a result, these predators learn to easily recognize the combination of bright colors and black spots as a big sign saying: "Hey, I'm not tasty!". This recognizable pattern spares the ladybug many attack attempts, thereby increasing its chances of survival.
The black spots result mainly from the expression of certain specific genes. Scientists have found that a small number of key genes control the size, shape, and amount of spots in different species of ladybugs. These genes act like a sort of switch: their activation leads to the formation of dark spots during the development of the ladybug, while their deactivation or mutation can alter the number or even eliminate these spots. In other words, some simple genetic changes can be enough to create a remarkable variety of patterns in our friendly ladybugs.
The climate and the environment play an important role in the number and distribution of ladybug spots. For example, in regions with a cooler climate, ladybugs often display a darker coloration with more spots, which facilitates solar heat absorption. Conversely, in warmer regions, their coloration tends to be lighter with fewer spots, thereby reducing the risk of overheating. Even the type of habitat influences their appearance: a ladybug living in a polluted or stressful area may show unusual variations in the number and intensity of its spots. In fact, these color differences can be practical indicators of the environmental health status in which ladybugs live.
The number of spots on a ladybug does not indicate its age, contrary to a common belief, but rather reflects its belonging to a specific species. Some studies do show a link between the number of spots and survival chances: the more visible the color patterns are, the more the ladybug seems repulsive to its predators. Because of this link, individuals with more spots may be better visually protected against birds, as they are perceived as toxic or unpleasant to eat. However, having many spots is not always advantageous: in certain environments, a pronounced pattern makes it more recognizable to other predators that rely on sight as their primary hunting method. Ultimately, having more or fewer spots is primarily related to a specific strategy depending on the species and the pressures related to its environment.
There are about 5,000 different species of ladybugs in the world, and each one has a distinct arrangement of black spots and colors that helps naturalists easily identify them.
The word 'ladybug' derives from the Latin 'coccinus', which means 'scarlet', in reference to the bright red color typical of the elytra of these insects.
Some ladybugs can have up to 24 spots, while others have none at all. For example, the 22-spotted ladybug (Psyllobora vigintiduopunctata) has exactly 22 black spots on its bright yellow shell.
The bright colors and black spots of ladybugs clearly signal to predators that they have an unpleasant taste. This phenomenon is called 'aposematism,' and it is used by many insects to survive.
No, this widespread idea is false. The number and arrangement of the black spots depend solely on the species, not on the age of the ladybug.
No, some species of ladybugs can display different patterns or even a complete absence of spots. The colors and patterns mainly depend on the species and the environment in which they evolve.
Not necessarily. Although black spots serve as a deterrent to predators, their effectiveness does not strictly depend on their number, but rather on the visibility and contrast they provide compared to the rest of the body.
In reality, the majority of ladybugs release repellent or slightly toxic substances to deter their predators. The black spots serve as a visual warning signal: the more visible the patterns are, the more clearly they indicate that they are unsuitable for consumption by predators.
No. When they emerge from their cocoon, ladybugs have a light and uniform color. The black spots gradually appear over a few hours as their shell hardens.
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