Ladybugs do not actually draw purple lines. However, Emma's experience is not unique. When ladybugs feel threatened, they release a yellowish fluid from their leg joints—known as “reflex bleeding.” According to the University of Florida, the “drawing” Emma witnessed was a defensive mechanism that ladybugs employ.
Transcript: Reflex bleeding! This is a self-defense strategy used by a few different animals, including specific species of beetles, moths, grasshoppers, lizards, snakes, and more. It's not all blood – they're actually secreting toxic chemicals and using their blood, which is called hemolymph, to carry it forward.
The bright red coloring of many ladybugs acts as a warning to predators of this toxic defense, a trait known as aposematism.
When ladybugs feel threatened, they release a yellowish fluid from their leg joints—known as “reflex bleeding.” According to the University of Florida, the “drawing” Emma witnessed was a defensive mechanism that ladybugs employ. The liquid is packed with a pungent chemical called hemolymph, designed to deter predators.
The adult lady beetle (ladybug or ladybird beetle) is metallic dark blue, green, or purple and about 1/8 to 1/6 to inch (3–4 mm) long. Females are uniformly dark. Males have orange or yellow on the head and outer margins of the pronotum.
Some say that the redder the ladybug, the better your luck will be. There are even folk tales that say when a ladybug comes to call, true love will follow soon after. So it seems a ladybug landing is quite lucky indeed! In turn, superstition states that killing a ladybug will curse you with bad luck.
Their markings tell predators: "Eat something else! I taste terrible." When threatened, the bugs will secrete an oily, foul-tasting fluid from joints in their legs. They may also play dead.
In many cultures, ladybugs are seen as bringers of luck, protection, and happiness. But there's more to it than just good fortune. The appearance of a ladybug often indicates that positive changes are on the horizon, inviting you to stay open to new opportunities. For many, ladybugs symbolise a turning point in life.
Adult ladybugs can live up to one year. But the entire life cycle of a ladybug (egg, larva, pupa, adult) can take up to two years to complete.
But lots of myths and legends surround a ladybug's spots. Many years ago, farmers believed the number of spots a ladybug had would tell them about the upcoming harvest, according to Wonderopolis(Opens in a new window). A ladybug with seven or fewer spots meant there was a great harvest ahead.
Although often orange in color, the imported beetles vary in color from yellow to good-ladybug red and sport more spots. Size is another distinguishing trait: bad ladybugs are a little bigger.
The ladybug is used as an attribute of the divine, and frequently plays the role of a messenger or servant of God.
Blue Ladybugs
Blue ladybugs are relatively rare compared to other species.
No, ladybugs are not known to be harmful to humans, but they do have the ability to release a noxious, smelly fluid from their joints when frightened or stressed.
Scents: Ladybugs are attracted to certain scents, such as the smell of sweat, perfume, and even soap. They may also be attracted to the smell of certain flowers, such as lavender and marigolds.
Ladybugs have various symbolic meanings, including good luck, protection, happiness, and love. The spiritual interpretation of ladybugs may include messages of hope, guidance, and the presence of guardian angels.
Ladybug purple secretion is a defensive fluid that these beetles release when they feel threatened. Its vibrant color is not just for show; it serves multiple purposes in the ladybug's survival strategy.
The bright red or orange coloring mixed with black is an example of aposematic coloring. This is a common warning sign in nature that alerts predators that they're toxic if eaten. Other insects and animals such as frogs also use this sign.
Protection Against Predators
Animal predators of the ladybug include tree frogs and birds such as swallows and crows. Insects that eat ladybugs include dragonflies, ants, and parasitic wasps.
Ladybugs are indeed capable of biting humans. More often than not, they prefer not to bite, but when they do, ladybugs bite with surprisingly sharp mouthparts. Instead of biting, these multicolored, spotted insects will often bleed on a person, releasing a pungent odor that wards off most prey.
A ladybug landing on you is a sign of good luck to come.
The number of spots on the ladybug determine how many years of good luck you're going to have. If a ladybug with no spots lands on you, it's said that you'll meet your true love soon.
Asian lady beetles are often mistaken for the docile, good-luck bringing bright red ladybug While ladybugs are generally considered beneficial because they live and feed on plant pests outdoors, the Asian Ladybug is an aggressive beetle, and a nuisance to other crops and to people.