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Coccinella transversalis, elytra (wing cases) in the open position

Harmonia axyrdis, the harlequin ladybug, has many colour varieties

For the sports comedy movie, see Ladybugs

Lady beetles are the Coccinellidae, a family of beetles. All species are protected by noxious fluids based on cyanide, and most have warning colouration, such as red with black spots or black stripes.

They are often called ladybugs or ladybirds, but biologists prefer the term 'coccinellid' or 'lady beetle'.

Coccinellids are found worldwide, with over 5,000 species. Most species are insectivorous, feeding mainly on the true bugs, the Hemiptera. These are insects which feed on plants, such as aphids (greenfly) or scale insects. Ladybeetle larvae are also voracious (greedy) eaters of greenfly.