, Family Ladybird Beetles (Coccinellidae) Size .125-.25”, 4-7mm Season Spring and Summer Food Aphids Habitat     Ladybugs are a common sight in gardens from early spring and throughout the summer as well as along are hiking trails. The Convergent Lady Beetle is probably the most common one seen. They are known by a number of names including Ladybug, ladybeetle and ladybird. The numer of spots varies from none to a full complement of 13. The name convergent comes from the white lines just behind the head that “converge.” These lines are common to all individuals. Ladybugs are friends to gardeners, voraciously eating any aphids they can find along with many other garden pests. Ladybug larva also eat aphids. In California, adults aggregate and overwinter in large numbers in mountain canyons. Ladybugs are considered a sign of good luck -- especially if they land on your body. Killing one presages bad luck. caption: file: x - square 0" x 0" at 300 dpi - release: contact us regarding image add image to lightbox References Evans, Arthur V. National Wildlife Federation Field Guide to Insects and Spiders of North America. New York: Sterling, 2008. http://bugguide.net/node/view/8374 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coccinellidae