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~ Coccinellidae larvae · boružių lervos

  • ladybird beetles, lady beetles, ladybirds, ladybugs
  • Marienkäfer
  • boružės
  • mārīšu dzimta
  • biedronkowate

Coccinellid larvae are mostly elongate, sometimes ovate and weakly to strongly flattened. They are covered in hairs or setae, the abdominal segments, in particular, each having six divided into pairs, and one to three segmented antennae. Their colouration varies from grey, blue-grey, grey-brown or brown and spotted with white, yellow, red or orange or cryptic against vegetation or substrate. They tend to brighten as they get closer to adulthood. Legs generally long and slender. Head with 3 ocelli on either side. Larvae tend to be active insectivores, fungivores or herbivores.

The Coccinellidae larvae moult 3 times (that is they have 4 instars) and after about 3 months they pupate. The prepupal stage (the time between when the ladybug larvae ceases eating and attaches itself to the substrate – and when it actually becomes a pupa in a pupal skin) looks hunched. In most cases, the larval skin is shed as the larva becomes a pupa – but remains wrapped around the posterior (tail) end of the pupa which is attached to the substrate.