ladybug

/ˌleɪdiˈbʌg/

/ˈleɪdibəg/

Other forms: ladybugs

A ladybug is a tiny, flying beetle that's usually red with black dots. Some people think it's good luck when a ladybug lands on them.

Scientifically, the ladybug is known as a coccinellid, one of a family of insects that are generally brightly colored and spotted. They are sometimes also called "lady birds" or "lady cows." Gardeners love them because they tend to eat pesky bugs like aphids that feed on plants and flowers. The lady part of their name refers to the Bible's Virgin Mary, named for the red cape she wears in many well-known paintings.

Definitions of ladybug

1. noun

   small round bright-colored and spotted beetle that usually feeds on aphids and other insect pests
   synonyms: lady beetle, ladybeetle, ladybird, ladybird beetle

   types:

   Adalia bipunctata, two-spotted ladybug

   red ladybug with a black spot on each wing

   Epilachna varivestis, Mexican bean beetle, bean beetle

   introduced into the United States from Mexico; feeds on the foliage of the bean plant

   Hippodamia convergens

   a variety of ladybug

   Rodolia cardinalis, vedalia

   native to Australia; introduced elsewhere to control scale insects

   type of:

   beetle

   insect having biting mouthparts and front wings modified to form horny covers overlying the membranous rear wings