Birds are the major predator of the ladybug. Ladybugs will play dead when threatened. There are about 5,000 different species of ladybugs throughout the world. When flying, the elytras open up, allowing the wings to move. The pronotum frequently has grayish spots on it.
Females are larger than males.
The labybug, like all beetles, undergoes a complete metamorphosis during its life. The larvae that hatches from the egg is small and long and has 6 legs. The larval skin then splits down the back, exposing the pupa. The pupa is about the size of the adult but is all wrapped up, protecting the ladybug while the it undergoes metamorphosis into its adult stage. This last stage in the metamorphosis takes a few days.