Bugs That Look Like Ladybugs

Perhaps the ladybug species with which you are most familiar is the common ladybug or seven-spotted ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata). This is a common representative species which can be seen in various popular media. There are also many species which differ, often displaying patterns which don't even contain red.

The six-spotted beetle is an insect which looks very similar to an orange ladybug. It is common on shrubs and plants of various parts of Europe. Its coloration varies, being orange, red or yellow with black spots. These spots are what make it most look like a ladybug.

All of the bugs that look like ladybugs on our list are insects, so they have six legs. Learn more about this topic in our article asking how many legs does a ladybug have?

The Colorado potato beetle is a small insect that is yellow and orange in color. It is adorned with dark stripes and spots at its front. These patterns make it seem like a bug that looks like a ladybug at first, perhaps a rare striped ladybug species we didn't know about. Unlike ladybugs, the Colorado beetle is an agricultural pest that attacks potato crops and other plants. It is native to North America, but has spread to Europe, where it once caused significant agricultural damage. Although its control has improved, it remains a challenge for farmers.

Learn more about the dangers some insects pose with our article asking do beetles bite?

The scarlet lily beetle is an insect of the Chrysomelidae family, commonly known as leaf beetles. The scarlet lily beetle may look like a ladybug thanks to its red elytra, but closer inspection of the photo reveals they more closely resemble a strawberry. As their name suggests, they feed on various plants, making them a serious pest for many. They are particularly fond of lilies and other perennial plants, feeding on their leaves, stems and flowers.

Another type of leaf beetle, this is a species of beetle that has a rounded body and bright red elytra which may resemble a ladybug. It is a forest pest that primarily attacks poplars and willows, affecting their growth and causing the death of young trees in severe cases.

As the photo depicts, the head and first part of the thorax is black, although it can sometimes vary in orange tones. They can look very much like a ladybug with no spots. Its larvae are white or gray with black markings and also feed on foliage. It is distributed throughout Europe and Asia, inhabiting forests and grasslands. They enter a state of diapause under tree bark when they need to consolidate energy.

This is also a type of beetle that particularly affects bean crops in Central and East Africa. Although its size and shape may resemble some ladybugs, it is a destructive pest that feeds on roots, seedlings, leaves and inflorescences. They can greatly weaken plants and reducing yield of a crop, even spreading viruses which can kill plants. Although they vary in color, golden and bright green hues are the most common.

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The varied carpet beetle is another bug species that looks like a ladybug due to its small size and rounded body with colorful patterns. It belongs to the Dermestidae family, more commonly known as carpet beetles or skin beetles. They are known for its ability to damage organic materials in homes and museums.

Its elytra have an irregular pattern with white, brown and yellowish spots, giving it a distinctive mottled appearance. The larvae of this beetle feed on natural fibers such as hair, feathers and dead insects.. This makes it a household pest since they can eat fabrics and textiles in the home. As adults, it changes its diet to feed on pollen and nectar, especially from flowers in the daisy family.

The spotted cucumber beetle is a beetle of the Chrysomelidae family. Native to North America, it is also considered an agricultural pest. Adults measure approximately 5 mm and have a characteristic greenish-yellow color with six black spots on each elytra, making them another insect similar to yellow ladybugs. Although they do not have the exact oval shape of ladybugs, their color pattern is very similar to that of some of them.

We know that a big difference between lead beetles and ladybugs is that ladybugs do not destroy crops. You can learn more with our article asking what do ladybugs eat?

Although it has a more elongated body and its head is distinct from the rest of its body, the red pumpkin beetle has such striking coloration that it reminds us of ladybugs. It is a pest that primarily affects squash and millet crops. Their elytra vary in color, ranging from pale orange-yellow to bright red to medium brown, while their black abdomen contrasts with fine white hairs. They are distributed in southern Europe, Asia, Australia and Africa.

This bug that looks like a ladybug does so more according to shape than pattern. Rather than red with black spots, its elytra are yellow with three elongated brown stripes and a shorter lateral one ending in a point. It has a brown pronotum. The larvae are about the same size as the adults and they have a humped back, almost as if they were partially inflated with air. As their name suggests, this beetle is a pest of sunflower crops.

The golden tortoise beetle bears similarities to ladybugs due to its small size and striking color. This insect belongs to the Chrysomelidae family and is widely distributed in the Americas. Its appearance varies, with shades ranging from reddish brown to a shiny, mirror-like metallic gold.

It has hardened elytra forewings are almost transparent, giving it the distinctive appearance you can see in the photo below. Unlike ladybugs, this beetle feeds on the leaves of plants such as sweet potatoes and morning glory. It also has the ability to change color when disturbed.

You can learn more about true ladybugs with our article asking are ladybugs toxic to humans?

If you want to read similar articles to Bugs That Look Like Ladybugs, we recommend you visit our Facts about the animal kingdom category.