How do lady bugs make the sticky smelly substance that keeps birds from eating them?

Question

My daughter is doing a lady bug report and we are alowed to help research on the computer. She is a first grader. She has to ask one three questions then find the answers. we cannot find the answer to this one anywhere. we know why they play dead and smell, but not how. any help would be great.

Answer 1

The ladybugs are poisonous to small birds and other insects.This is accomplished by a system called aposematism. They excrete an oily,smelly substance from lymph glands on their legs.This is called hemolymph.