Lady bugs dying?!

8 years ago

last modified: 8 years ago

I checked my rose of sharons in my front beds and I noticed something weird. They seemed to be covered by what I thought were lady bugs. But, many of them were dead. Or so it seems they were. Some were moving, some looked like their spots were fading and some looked like little dead shriveled pumpkins. Any ideas?

*Don't mind the instagram comment on the pic. My daughter took the pic and then sent it to me. lol

Maybe they aren't even lady bugs?

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Comments (5)

Melissa
Original Author
8 years ago
I've been searching all over google. Lady bug pupa???
AmyinOwasso/zone 6b
8 years ago
Melissa, that is correct. I once tried to move a lady bug, but it was stuck to the leaf. And those things will be stuck, too, I think. I believe that is what ou get between larva abd beetle stage.
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Okiedawn OK Zone 7
8 years ago
Yes, they will seem dead or dying while in the pupal stage, but then after a few days, they will finish pupating and will get busy feeding. It can take from a few days to almost two weeks, and I don't know why there is such a big difference in how quickly or slowly they complete the process.
Melissa
Original Author
8 years ago
Sigh....I wanted to prune my rose of sharons today. I guess I will leave them till I start seeing them disappear. There are a TON of them on there which makes me so happy. But I guess that's to be expected with the dang aphid invasion.
dbarron
8 years ago
Bear in mind, there are a few other related beetles that look like that in pupae, besides lady bugs. But yes, it won't take them long to emerge...just wait a week.