Is the insect known as a "Ladybug" a "bug"?

Ladybug is actually a beetle. Do you know the difference?

To most people, a “bug” is any small crawly animal. Like a spider, or a centipede, or maybe a chihuahua. To an entomologist, a “bug” is specifically a member of a particular lineage of insects, the Hemiptera. A cockroach is not a Hemipteran, so it can't be bug. Neither is a beetle, or a spider.

The Hemiptera or true bugs are an order of insects comprising around 50,000-80,000 species of groups such as the cicadas, aphids, planthoppers, leafhoppers, and shield bugs. They range in size from 1 mm (0.04 in) to around 15 cm (6 in), and share a common arrangement of sucking mouthparts. The name "true bugs" is sometimes limited to the suborder Heteroptera. Many insects commonly known as "bugs" belong to other orders; for example, the lovebug is a fly, while the May bug and ladybug are beetles.

More Info: www.myrmecos.net

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What are your thoughts on this subject?

72 Comments

Teresa Dixon

Mark Ann Dubaz, Ladybugs are beneficial insects that eat the aphids that damage your garden.

Randall Robertson

Mark Ann Dubaz, why? That's one of the most beneficial insects. They were likely feeding on aphids, and trying to save your mother's rose bushes. SMH

Joanne Serin

Mark Ann Dubaz, they don't destroy plants, but kill aphids, which do destroy plants.

Laurie Johnson Gonzalez

Real people call all of the creepy crawlies bugs.

Johnny Rock

Everybody knows that the bugs are The Beatles!

dick aspel

A very North American question. The term bug is not recognised by most of the world. There are beetles, insects, arachnids etc but not bugs.

Jenny Forbes

We call them "ladybirds" in the UK. Yes, I know they're not birds! Don't try to get rid of them. Not only are they appealing to look at, they eat aphids (greenfly, etc.) off your roses and should be encouraged in the garden.