How to Raise Seven-Spotted Ladybirds? Breeding Methods and Precautions

The seven-spotted ladybird, also known as golden tortoise, new daughter-in-law, flower big sister, etc., is a predatory insect of the genus Coccinella in the family Coccinellidae. It is widely distributed throughout China, found in Northeast China, North China, Central China, Northwest China, East China and Southwest China. Its life cycle goes through 4 different developmental stages: egg, larva, pupa and adult. Now let us take a look at how to raise seven-spotted ladybirds.

To raise seven-spotted ladybirds as ornamental pets, it is suitable to use a rectangular glass or plexiglass box for rearing, with a box size of 26 cm * 16 cm * 18 cm being appropriate. The top of the container should be covered with an iron gauze mesh as a lid to prevent the ladybirds from escaping, and keeping 6~8 per box is sufficient.

Inside the box, place 2~3 washed ink bottles filled mostly with water, and insert into the bottles some plants such as roses or cherry blossoms whose leaves carry many aphids. The food fed should be mainly based on this, and some plant-based feed can also be given, such as the fruits, stems and tender leaves of water chestnut, eggplant, tomato, beans and melons.

The varieties should be changed frequently, and the container should be cleaned promptly, removing leftover food, insect droppings and other debris. For feeding ladybirds, an artificial diet can also be made: chop fresh pork liver, add honey, mash evenly in a 5:1 ratio and refrigerate; when using, warm it back up, place it in a feeding trough, mix with water and feed.