Ladybugs - General Predators
TARGET PESTS
Ladybugs are generalist predators that eat many kinds of soft-bodied pest insects. They're predatory as both larvae and adults.
Primary Targets
- Ladybugs for Aphids including green peach aphid, melon aphid, corn leaf aphid, cotton aphid, pea aphid, rose aphid, potato aphid, and Russian wheat aphid
- Ladybugs for Mealybugs including citrus mealybug and grape mealybug
- Ladybugs for Spider Mites including two-spotted spider mite
- Ladybugs for Soft Scale Insects
- Ladybugs for Thrips including bean thrips and western flower thrips
- Ladybugs for Whitefly eggs and early-instar nymphs
Secondary / Supplemental Targets
- Ladybugs for Psyllids including potato psyllid and Asian citrus psyllid
- Ladybugs for Leafhoppers including beet leafhopper and grape leafhopper
- Ladybugs for Asparagus Beetle eggs and young larvae
- Ladybugs for Stink Bug Eggs
- Ladybugs for Colorado Potato Beetle eggs and early larvae
- Ladybugs for Corn Earworm eggs
- Ladybugs for Alfalfa Weevil eggs
- Ladybugs for Small Caterpillar Larvae eggs and first instars
When pest populations are low, adult ladybugs will supplement their diet with pollen and nectar. Larvae are strict carnivores and among the most aggressive aphid predators in nature.
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
Scientific Name: Hippodamia convergens | Common Name: Convergent Lady Beetle
Soft-Bodied Pests Multiplying Fast?
NaturesGoodGuys pre-fed ladybugs are beneficial insects native to North America. They are effective beneficial insects for organic gardens, greenhouses, grow rooms, and interior-scapes. Ladybugs control aphids, thrips, mealybugs, scale insects, spider mites, psyllids, and many other soft bodied pests.
Why Our Ladybugs Get Results
- Predatory in both larval and adult stages: Larvae are voracious hunters that consume 30–50 aphids per day, while adults consume up to 5,000 aphids over a lifetime.
- Pre-fed before shipping: Our ladybugs are fed and watered after collection. This helps them settle and start feeding faster.
- Support your backyard ecosystem: See real improvements in plant health without introducing chemical pesticides.
- Natural, sustainable, and safe — people, pet, and planet friendly.
Ladybug Success
How long do ladybugs live? Adults can thrive for weeks or months in a variety of temperatures and humidities. To help ladybugs stay ahead of the pest lifecycle, we suggest introducing them multiple times throughout the growing season.
Ladybug Fun-Facts
- Over 400 species of ladybugs exist in North America. Ours, Hippodamia convergens, is the species native to the USA.
- Built-in survival system: When threatened, ladybugs secrete a bitter fluid from their leg joints. This is called reflex bleeding. It deters birds and other vertebrate predators.
- Winter-ready: Ladybugs enter a dormant state called diapause when temperatures drop, surviving on stored fat reserves they build up in fall by feeding on pollen and prey. They resume activity in spring.
- Side-to-side chewers: Ladybugs chew prey from side to side rather than up and down. This is a unique adaptation for processing soft-bodied insects.
- Fast fliers: Ladybugs beat their wings approximately 85 times per second when in flight.
Ladybug Life Cycle
Ladybugs develop through four stages: egg → larva → pupa → adult. Eggs hatch in 3–7 days; larvae develop through four instars over 10–30 days (eating 30–50 aphids per day as large larvae); pupation lasts about one week; adults emerge ready to feed and mate.
The full cycle from egg to adult takes 3–6 weeks depending on temperature. Ladybug larvae look like small orange-and-black "alligators." Be careful to not mistake ladybug larvae for a pest!
Spot Our Ladybug
ur ladybugs are easy to identify! Look for the two white lines behind the head that converge, giving them their name. This marking sets Hippodamia convergens apart from the invasive multicolored Asian lady beetle (Harmonia axyridis) and the European 7-spotted ladybug (Coccinella septempunctata). Our species is 100% native to the USA.
Left: Convergent Ladybug (Hippodamia convergens)
Right: European 7 Spotted Ladybug (Coccinella septempunctata)
Power Pair - Ladybugs and Lacewings
Ladybugs and green lacewings are the dream team for broad-spectrum natural pest control. Green lacewing larvae (called "aphid lions") consume up to 60 aphids per day. Together, they provide overlapping coverage and attack pests at multiple life stages. They coexist peacefully and will not predate each other.
CUSTOMER REVIEW
Michael P. Says: This is our second year using NaturesGoodGuys ladybugs and green lacewings. They provide exceptional products and I would highly recommend them. Much better than applying chemical sprays to keep our property's landscaping looking amazing.
INTRODUCTION RATES
Use the chart below as your starting guide. Adjust based on your specific pest species, plant type, growing environment, and infestation level. Multiple releases spaced throughout the growing season consistently outperform a single large release.
| INFESTATION LEVEL | RATE FREQUENCY |
| Preventative/Light | 1 ladybug per sq. ft., monthly |
| Moderate | 1 ladybug per sq. ft., bi-weekly, 2-3 times |
| Heavy | 1 ladybug per sq. ft, weekly, 2-4 times |
Operating Temperature: Ladybugs are most active and feed most aggressively between 62°F–88°F. They slow below 55°F and will not fly in cold conditions.
These rates are general guidelines. Closely monitor your plants for 7–14 days after each release and adjust frequency or quantity based on level of pest infestation and observed ladybug activity. If pest populations are not declining, consider combining with Green Lacewings for broader coverage.
PRO TIPS
- Control ants before releasing. Ants "farm" aphid colonies for their honeydew and will aggressively chase away ladybugs to protect their food source. Apply an ant barrier (diatomaceous earth or sticky tape) around the base of affected plants before introducing ladybugs.
- Keep your beneficial insects fed and attract native bugs to your garden or farm with our Good Bug Diet - A food supplement for your good bugs that contains fats, proteins, fiber, calcium, phosphorus, sodium, amino acids, vitamins, lactose, and sucrose.
- Introduce beneficial insects to your houseplants and potted plants with our Beneficial Insect Netting! No need to worry about your ladybugs flying around your home or grow room.
- Wait after pesticides. Do not release beneficial insects within 2–4 weeks of any pesticide application, including many organic options like pyrethrin. Broad-spectrum and systemic insecticides are toxic to beneficials. Pesticides, wetting agents, and spreader-stickers may all adversely affect ladybug survival.
APPLICATION
Releasing ladybugs in your garden, greenhouse, or grow room is simple. Follow these simple steps for the best possible results:
Where to Use
Ladybugs are effective anywhere soft-bodied pests are present — outdoor gardens, greenhouses, indoor grows, lawns, orchards, vineyards, container plants, rooftop gardens, and interiorscapes.
Step-by-Step Release Instructions
Step 1 — Choose the Right Time: Release indoors at any time. For outdoor releases, choose the early morning, evening, or an overcast day.
Step 2 — Prepare Your Plants: Mist the leaves of infested plants with water before releasing. Moisture provides drinking water for ladybugs arriving from transit, encourages them to explore and stay, and signals a healthy habitat. It also improves conditions for immediate reproduction.
Step 3 — Release at the Base: Open the bag and gently release ladybugs at the base of plants or in low branch crotches near pest activity.
Step 4 — Don't Be Alarmed by Stillness: Newly released ladybugs may sit still for 15–30 minutes as they acclimate to their new environment.
Step 5 — Repeat Throughout the Season: For sustained control, introduce ladybugs multiple times throughout the growing season.
STORAGE
For best results, introduce your ladybugs immediately upon receipt.
If Same-Day Release Isn't Possible
- Store at 36–45°F (standard home refrigerator) in original packaging for no longer than 14 days
- Do not freeze
- If ladybugs appear dry on arrival, lightly mist the inside of the bag with water before refrigerating
Are My Ladybugs Dead or Just Dormant?
Motionless ladybugs in cold storage are almost always dormant, not dead. To check: remove them from the refrigerator and allow 15–20 minutes at room temperature.
DISCLAIMER / SHIPPING POLICY
STORE POLICIES
Thank you for shopping with us! Before placing an order, please review our policies on Shipping & Processing, Live Delivery Guarantee, and Returns/Replacements. By completing your purchase, you agree to these terms.
We do not provide recommendations on pesticide use. Any product purchased is intended for home use only and not for commercial use.
At NaturesGoodGuys, we are committed to delivering healthy, high-quality beneficial insects to support your gardening success. If your insects arrive non-viable, contact us within 48 hours of delivery at info@naturesgoodguys.com with your order number and a detailed description of the issue. Photos of the insects and packaging may be required. Our team will assess the situation and work toward a suitable resolution.
IMPORTANT DETAILS
- The "Live Delivery Guarantee" applies only to the condition of the insects upon delivery and does not cover loss due to incorrect storage or later perish-ability.
- We evaluate eligibility on a a case-by-case basis, considering factors like species, hatching times, and temperature conditions.
- Replacements are processed and shipped on Wednesdays & Thursdays only.
UPON DELIVERY
- Open your package immediately and check for storage instructions. Some insects require refrigeration, and improper storage voids the guarantee.
- Ice packs are not expected to remain frozen upon arrival—they are only used to help regulate temperature and moisture during transit.
- Some insects may appear inactive at first. Allow time for them to adjust before assessing viability. Many species require magnification to be seen clearly.
SHIPPING CONSIDERATIONS
- Some species or quantities have limited shipping options to ensure short transit times for viability.
- If you are concerned about insect health during transit, we recommend selecting overnight shipping to reduce stress and improve survival rates.
We do our best to keep all products in stock, but nature doesn’t always follow our schedule! Because we work with the natural reproductive cycles of living organisms, occasional delays may occur.
Some insects are harvested on specific days, and at times, a harvest may be delayed. If this happens, we will ship your order as soon as possible and notify you via email or phone if there is a significant delay.
SEASONAL & WEATHER DELAYS
Extreme weather and seasonal conditions can impact shipping times and the viability of live insects. To ensure the best possible arrival, we may delay shipments during severe heat waves, cold spells, or other extreme conditions. If your order is affected, we will hold it temporarily and ship when conditions improve. You will be notified via email or phone if there is a significant delay.
CHANGES & CANCELLATIONS
Due to our high order volume, any changes or cancellations must be requested within 30 minutes of placing your order. If your order has already entered production, we will do our best to accommodate your request, but we cannot guarantee modifications or cancellations at that stage.
RETURNS & REPLACEMENTS
If you receive an item that is damaged, defective, or incorrect, please contact us immediately upon receiving your shipment so we can resolve the issue. Replacements may be issued if the order qualifies under our Live Delivery Guarantee. Eligibility is determined by our customer support team.
WHEN REPLACEMENTS ARE NOT COVERED
While we are happy to replace damaged, lost, or incorrect packages, we cannot replace orders in the following situations:
INCORRECT SHIPPING INFORMATION
- If an incorrect address was entered at checkout, we cannot replace the order.
- If you notice an address error before your order has been processed, contact us immediately so we can attempt to correct it.
FAILURE TO FOLLOW STORAGE & USE INSTRUCTIONS
- Each order includes detailed instructions on proper storage and use, which are also available on our website.
- Failure to follow these instructions, or using a product incorrectly, may result in unsatisfactory results.
- Our customer service team will assess whether proper handling steps were followed before considering a claim.
DELAYED PACKAGE RETRIEVAL
- If a package is left outside, in a mailbox, or returned to the post office due to the recipient being unavailable at delivery, this can stress or kill live insects.
- We do not replace orders that perish due to delayed retrieval.
- Tracking information is provided for all shipments—please ensure you are available to receive your order.