Ladybug lifecycle

[gjl711]

Well it all starts when daddy ladybug get mommy ladybug a little drunk and they um.. sort of get ladybug frisky.
f-IMG_1438 by photog711, on Flickr

A short time later, mom drops jr. off on a nearby stem and splits.
f-IMG_1231 by photog711, on Flickr

 

[gjl711]

Jr. hatches and starts chowing down.
f-IMG_1236 by photog711, on Flickr

He's seriously hungry and eats until he gets big and fat.
f-IMG_1237-m1 by photog711, on Flickr

 

[gjl711]

Eventually he eats himself into a food coma, curls up and take a nap for about 2 weeks.
f-IMG_1262-63-64s by photog711, on Flickr

Once the food coma wears off, he pops out and starts the whole cycle again.
f-IMG_1244 by photog711, on Flickr

 

[gjl711]

But first, he has some serious aphid munching to do.
f-IMG_1252 by photog711, on Flickr

 

[Lester Wareham]

Fab photo story.

 

[Dennis]

Nice lifecycle story and photos, enjoyed the series very much.

Dennis