In the winter, the adults hibernate in large groups, often in mountains at high elevations. The female beetle lays eggs only where she knows aphids are present. Predators Larvae are eaten by lacewing larvae. They also can secrete an amber bad tasting fluid from the joints in their legs. Impact on the Ecosystem Positive Larval stage consumes large numbers of aphids.
Adults also eat aphids.
Negative Two injurious agricultural species are the squash beetle and the Mexican bean beetle which eat plants instead of other insects. Collecting Live Insects Where to find In the spring, ladybird beetles and larvae are common on any plant with aphids or scale insects. Home vegetable and flower gardens that are organic or where no insecticides have been used may be a good place to look. How to collect Use old pill bottles or small containers to gather the beetles or larvae. Hold the container below the insect and tap it into the container.