Dirtybird
Normally a plant-eater, potato ladybird picks up some dirt. Kyogle, NSW.
Leaf-eating Ladybirds
A couple of Epilachna guttatopustulata devour a leaf. Kyogle, NSW.
Yellow-shouldered ladybird
Ladybird looks for aphid on the berries of a wild tobacco plant. The ants have the aphids hidden among the tightly packed berries. Oxley Creek, QLD.
Orange Ladybird
Ladybug grazes on the rich layer of organic matter found on the trunk of a lemon tree. Kyogle, NSW.
Ladybird Moult
The spent pupae of ladybugs clustered together on a stick. The pupae nestle in the moulted skin of the larva. Kyogle, NSW.
Ladybird on Gum Leaf
Lady beetle (Coelophora inaequalis) traverses a gum leaf inhabited by baby Psyllids (jumping plant lice). Kyogle, NSW.
Ladybird Eggs
Yellow ladybird eggs on a yellow-green leaf. Kyogle, NSW.
Ladybird Larva
Ladybird larvae are born and bred in aphid populations. Oxley Creek, QLD.
Predator
Ladybird larva attacks a yellow aphid from behind to avoid it's formidable pointy mouthparts. Oxley Creek, QLD.
Fungus-eating Ladybird
Illeis galbula. Kyogle, NSW.
Miniscule Beetle
Tiny beetle is about 2mm long and looks like a ladybird. Here it navigates the bark of a small tree. Oxley Creek, QLD.
Large Leafeating Ladybird
Kyogle, NSW.
Predator and Prey
Ladybird and rose aphid - mortal enemies - share a rose leaf. Kyogle, NSW.
Aphid Juice
Ladybird rests after a big aphid meal in the curl of a rose leaf. More aphids roam nearby. Beetle should clean its pronotum if it wants to look innocent. Kyogle, NSW.