17 October 2007
Ladybug pupation color change
Last week on my second time out (collecting for Z-boy’s class), I collected a ladybug pupa that was much paler than the others and didn’t have many spots. I wondered if this meant it was going to be a yellow beetle without spots (these multi-colored asian lady beetles have a wide color range), or if this meant it was a young pupa. I took another look at it later that evening, and it was orange and spotted. Was I imagining things? Had it really been yellow and spotless earlier? So imagine my excitement this morning when I noticed that the largest of my larvae was started to pupate, and it was in fact pale yellow without any spots. I kept my camera close at hand today, and documented the color change over four to five hours. Cool, huh? Now if I could just find out why they do those push-ups… (click on image for larger view)
Jonski Blogski 
Jay Zvonik said,
1 September 2008 at 9:22 pm
Greetings and Salutations,
The pics (and fine pics they are) of the ladybug pupa , are immensely helpful . Having a bit of an aphid problem on my cucumbers. Been moving ladybugs to the cucumbers . And have some larva moving around.
Weren’t quite sure what the next stage would look like.
Much Thanks,
and
Best Regards,
Jay
Tricia said,
1 September 2008 at 10:28 pm
Did you also see the previous post? That one shows larva, pupa, and adult!
Anyway, glad to be of help! And I hope your ladybug pupae eat up those aphids. I saw some on our milkweed yesterday, there was a veritable aphid feast available for their dining pleasure.