2006-06-27 09:04:54 · 13 answers · asked by Christine R 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Zoology
as a child i always believed it was by counting the spots on them - this is probably totally not the right way - but just a thought!
2006-06-27 09:07:33 · answer #1 · answered by Sally J 4 · 1⤊ 3⤋
The Ladybird life cycle is similar in many species, the adults overwinter often in large groups in any place they can find that is dry and if possible out of the wind. Breeding generally begins in May, but is dependant on the weather, and in most cases the presence of food. Egg laying continues on into July with each female laying as many as 1 000 eggs in some species. Many of the carnivorous species lay their eggs near aphids, ensuring their young a supply of food . Eggs take about 4 days to hatch depending on temperature, ranging from 10.3 days at 15C to 1.8 days at 35C.
The larvae moult 3 times (that is they have 4 instars) and after about 3 months depending on the density of aphids they pupate. The larvae when small are often smaller than the aphids they are eating and it is not uncommon to see a large aphid carrying a small Ladybird larva around on tis back. A 7 Spot Ladybird larva will consume more than 300 aphids before it pupates.
The prepupal stage (the time between when the lava 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. Though the pupa is attached at one end and in a state of morphological change it is not always immobile and will flick its anterior (head) end up and down if annoyed, this action possibly evolved as a deterrent to Hymenopteran pupal parasites, making it difficult for them to oviposit (lay their eggs).
Emergence generally occurs after about one week depending on temperature. The pupal skin splits along the back and the adult climbs out, then rests while expanding and drying its wings. The elytra are a pale yellowy-orange at this stage but soon brighten up after a few hours or days. The new adults then feed for a few weeks before dispersing and finding an overwintering site. Most Ladybirds are univoltine (having one generation per year) but some, such as the 2 Spot Ladybird (Adalia 2-punctata) and the 14 Spot Ladybird (Propylea 14-punctata) may be semivoltine (having 2 generations per year
2006-06-27 16:27:46 · answer #2 · answered by Laurel 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Im not sure however cotrary to belief their number of spots does not indicate their age!!! There are many types of ladybirds and can have up to 24 spots!!And its quite unlikely that a ladybird could live for that space of time!!!!
2006-06-27 16:14:53 · answer #3 · answered by Orls 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can't. There are three stages - egg, larvae and adult. Adults can live for a few weeks or up to 10 months (if they can find shelter). The number of spots isn't an indication of its age - they are indicators of different species of ladybird. They're also called lady beetles. As far as I know they can have between two and twenty-four spots, depending on species.
2006-06-27 16:22:04 · answer #4 · answered by Grimread 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
COUNTING THE SPOTS!
oops...please excuse the capitals!
2006-06-27 16:09:17 · answer #5 · answered by Katharine K 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You count the spots :-)
2006-06-27 16:11:37 · answer #6 · answered by tyrant900 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well, as you only see them in the summer, then not very old atall
2006-06-27 16:09:42 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
you should never ask a lady there age.lol
2006-06-27 16:07:59 · answer #8 · answered by Danny 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no of spots
2006-06-28 19:59:12 · answer #9 · answered by dannyboy10210 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
look at her birthday cards.
2006-06-27 17:00:41 · answer #10 · answered by gadriel 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋