Hobbies And Interests
Head Parts
Lady beetles possess two head parts and one part connecting the head to the body. The head parts, antennae and eyes, help ladybugs perceive their environment. Lady beetles have two eyes, through which they perceive only contrasts between light and dark. They see basic shapes but not color or fine distinctions of lines and forms. Ladybug antennae help the insects perceive the complexities of their environment not perceived through their eyes. The bugs smell and taste with their antennae and use them to feel the basic parameters of their immediate area. Behind the head, ladybugs have a pronotum. This large, hard area connects the head to the body, helps protect the head and moves the head from side to side.
Midrift Parts
Lady beetles have two primary midrift parts, the thorax and the abdomen. The thorax and the abdomen form the majority of any insect's body mass and perform a handful of basic functions. These parts house and protect the lady beetle's organs and connect the legs and wings to the rest of the body. The thorax and abdomen of the ladybug serve a unique purpose: the creation and storage of a noxious, foul-smelling and -tasting gel. When threatened by predators, lady beetles emit this smelly substance to deter attacks.
Elytra
All beetle species, including lady beetles, have elytra. These two specialized body parts cover the wings, abdomen and thorax of the beetle's body, one on the left half of the insect and one on the right half. The elytra open to allow the wings to unfold. The elytra of the lady beetle bear the signature bright colors and dots of the insect. The distinct color of lady beetle elytra serves an evolutionary purpose, deterring predators. Predators assume any brightly colored animal contains poisons and avoid such creatures. The foul-smelling gel emitted by lady beetles reiterates this mechanism by resembling a toxin. Elytra are made of cuticles.
Legs and Wings
The legs and wings attach to the thorax and abdomen of the lady beetle, on the underside and topside of its body, respectively. Like all insects, ladybugs have three pairs of legs, for a total of six legs. These legs provide basic mobility for lady beetles, allowing them to walk across the ground and climb plant surfaces and walls. Lady beetle feet help them smell and serve as the point of secretion for the noxious gel created and stored in the thorax and abdomen. Ladybug wings sit below the elytra. When unfolded, these wings are longer than the body of the insect. When lady beetles land, they carefully refold their wings beneath the elytra.