ladybug

American

[ley-dee-buhg] / ˈleɪ diˌbʌg /

noun

any of numerous small, round, often brightly colored and spotted beetles of the family Coccinellidae, feeding chiefly on aphids and other small insects, but including several forms that feed on plants.

Etymology

Origin of ladybug

First recorded in 1690–1700; lady + bug ¹

Explanation

A ladybug is a tiny, flying beetle that's usually red with black dots. Some people think it's good luck when a ladybug lands on them. Scientifically, the ladybug is known as a coccinellid, one of a family of insects that are generally brightly colored and spotted. They are sometimes also called "lady birds" or "lady cows." Gardeners love them because they tend to eat pesky bugs like aphids that feed on plants and flowers. The lady part of their name refers to the Bible's Virgin Mary, named for the red cape she wears in many well-known paintings.

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Zach Isenmann, general manager of STL Pest Control in St. Louis, said this fall’s ladybug season has been worse than usual.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 16, 2025

The creatures include a walrus, a ladybug, a zebra, a wildebeest, a bat, a bush baby, a beaver and a crocodile.

From New York Times • May 1, 2024

In another, a ladybug drinks water from a dewdrop on a long blade of grass.

From National Geographic • Jan. 22, 2024

“If we see a kid get interested in a ladybug crawling on the ground, we turn that into a month-long lesson on what it eats, its transformation and how it protects the garden.”

From Washington Times • Jan. 5, 2023

For Worlds, I made sure to pack my lucky turtle, the one with a little red ladybug on its back.

From "Courage to Soar" by Simone Biles

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023