The Darker Side of Ladybugs

An episode of the KQED series Deep Look focuses on the ladybug larva, a darker and more terrifying version of the creature’s eventual identity as a petite ladybug whose main role will be that of biological pest control.

Ladybugs may be the cutest insects around, but they don’t start off that way. Also called lady beetles or ladybirds, they pop out of their eggs as prickly mini-monsters with an insatiable hunger for aphids. Once they’ve bulked up, they transform, shedding their terrifying looks, but keeping their killer vibes.

Darker Side of Ladybug
Lori Dorn
Lori Dorn

Lori is a Laughing Squid Contributing Editor based in New York City who has been writing blog posts for over a decade. She also enjoys making jewelry, playing guitar, taking photos and mixing craft cocktails.