ladybug

[ ley-dee-buhg ]

noun

1. 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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of ladybug¹

First recorded in 1690–1700; lady + bug ¹

Example Sentences

As he learned to live with an irregular heartbeat, he found joy in his family’s tiny garden and marveled at all the ladybugs that gathered on the tulsi, a special type of basil.

From Los Angeles Times

Important factors are the places where the animals are found and their level of popularity -- squirrels and ladybugs come out on top here.

From Science Daily

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

“Before the game, a ladybug landed on my shoe. And you all know what that means,” Aiyuk said.

From Seattle Times

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

From National Geographic

Related Words

• ant
• aphid
• bee
• beetle
• butterfly
• cockroach
• dragonfly
• flea
• fruit fly
• gnat
• grasshopper
• mite
• mosquito
• moth
• pest
• spider
• termite
• tick