The Badge Archive

Quick Ladybugs Facts

Fulfills Step 1 of GSUSA Bugs badge requirements.

Info Needed for Badge Requirements – See Below

Items Needed:

  • Pen or pencil for each scout or small group.
  • Printed Ladybug diagram with blank labels for each scout or small group.
  • (Optional) Short bug fact sheet
  • (Optional) Troop Coloring supplies (crayons, markers, or colored pencils)

Instructions (Total Time: 6–11 Minutes):

  1. Quick Ladybug Facts (2–3 minutes)
    • Leader shares a few simple facts (see below)
  2. Label the Diagram (4–5 minutes)
    • Scouts label parts on the kadybug diagram. Scouts can work individually or in small groups with help as needed.
  3. (Optional) Add Color and a Fun Fact (2–3 minutes)
    • Scouts color their ladybug and write one fun fact they learned.

Info Required for Requirement 1 – Ladybugs

Where Ladybugs Live
Ladybugs live in gardens, forests, grasslands, and even cities. They like places with lots of plants and bugs to eat, especially aphids.

How Long Ladybugs Live
Most ladybugs live for 1 to 2 years, going through four life stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult.

What Ladybugs Eat
Ladybugs eat tiny bugs like aphids, mites, and whiteflies. Some also eat pollen or nectar when bugs are hard to find.

What’s Good About Ladybugs

  • Eat pests that hurt plants
  • Help farmers and gardeners
  • Show nature is healthy
  • Fun to spot and learn about

What’s Not So Good About Ladybugs

  • Some types can bite or sneak into homes
  • A few species push out native ladybugs
  • Their bright color warns predators, but not all predators stay away

Who Their Enemies Are
Ladybugs are eaten by birds, frogs, spiders, wasps, and even other ladybugs.

Main Parts of a Ladybug

  • Head – Where the eyes, mouth, and antennae are
  • Eyes – Help them see movement and light
  • Antennae – Feelers that help them smell and sense things
  • Legs – Six legs used for walking and climbing
  • Wings – Two sets: hard outer wings (elytra) and soft flying wings underneath
  • Abdomen – The back part that holds their stomach and breathing holes
  • Spiracles – Tiny holes on the sides for breathing

Resources:

  • Bambrick, Mya. “Ladybugs Facts, Size, Lifespan, Habitat, Diet, Pictures.” All Bird Species, 8 Oct. 2024, allbirdspecies.com/ladybugs/. Accessed 10 July 2025.
  • “Discover Ladybug: Lifecycle, Diet, Facts, Threats and More | BugBrief.” BugBrief, 2025, bugbrief.com/ladybug/. Accessed 10 July 2025.
  • “Ladybugs: Benefits and Drawbacks.” Elisabeth C. Miller Library, depts.washington.edu/hortlib/pal/ladybugs-benefits-and-drawbacks/. Accessed 10 July 2025.
  • Ladybug Facts from GSLP
Tia Kennard