In less than a month the larvae will pupate and go through a week long pupal stage. The ladybug is now completely developed into it's adult stage and it emerges to find food. The total process takes about three weeks. Protection Ladybugs use their bright orange or red exterior to warn birds to stay away. The bird will learn that a red or black exterior usually indicates a sting or bad taste.
Ladybugs have a bad taste instead of a sting.
They also send off a foul odor from their legs. Ladybugs also have a tendency to play dead. Most predators refuse to eat an insect if it doesn't move. No matter if the ladybug is a larvae or an adult it mostly consumes aphids. They also eat small insects, mealybugs, spider mites, and eggs.