Extension > Garden > Diagnose a problem > What insect is this? > General/curiosity insects > Caterpillars, maggots, grubs, and similar immature insects less than 1 inch long > Lady beetle larvae

Lady beetle larvae

Coccinellidae family

Eric Burkness, University of Minnesota

Louis Tedders, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Bugwood.org

Description: 1/3 - 1/2 inch long. Alligator shaped body that is blue to black with varying coloration from white dots to orange.

Where/When: Found in gardens, especially where aphids and other soft-bodied insects are present. The larvae are active in the late spring and summer.

Significance: An important predator of aphids. They are harmless to people and plants. More information on lady beetle larvae.

More information on Lady beetle larvae