Evolution

There probably is no other insect quite so well loved as the Coccinellidae, most commonly regarded as the ladybug. Though they are known for being bright red with black spots, but among the hundreds of ladybug species, the colors might vary to include orange or yellow, and the spots may be replaced by stripes. The coloration of the bug warns predators of their toxicity if eaten.

Though farmers and gardeners typically loathe the thought of insects on their crops, ladybugs are welcome guests, as they readily devour aphids: tiny insects that eat and kill plants. In 1889, American farmers in California imported Australian ladybugs to effectively combat the scale bugs that had been devastating the citrus orchards.

Photo credit: SurgKuran http://500px.com/SergKuran

For more information: http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/bugs/ladybug/

http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/beneficial/lady_beetles.htm

http://books.google.com/books?id=2wwBy1pEw5wC&pg=PA1396&lpg=PA1396&dq=1889+ladybugs+australian&source=bl&ots=Ww4wF55-5Q&sig=TYDLwtIq53XxMA4QzTOHiwNFN7c&hl=en&sa=X&ei=0gjlUI_vF42zigKMu4FI&ved=0CFcQ6AEwBQ#v=onepage&q=1889%20ladybugs%20australian&f=false