The Importance of Ladybugs (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) for Agriculture and Biodiversity in Brazil

Ladybugs feed on small insects, mites, pollen, and nectar. Only two species feed on plant tissue. In turn, ladybugs are preyed upon by larger insects, some species of birds, and amphibians. To protect themselves, they rely on some strategies. The vibrant coloration can warn the predator about its unpalatability, that is, its bad taste, or its toxicity, preventing the predator from attacking it. Another form of defense used by some species is the behavior of lying down with their abdomen upward, followed by the release of a liquid with an unpleasant odor. In this way, the ladybug intends to be dead and avoids the attention of its predator. This way, the animal moves away. I can mention birds, salamanders, frogs, and wasps as examples of ladybug predators. The purpose of this manuscript is to review the importance of ladybugs (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) for agriculture and biodiversity in Brazil. Document analysis was used as a data collection method to gather information from theoretical books, theses banks, university dissertations, scientific journals, and documents. The databases Academia.edu, Biological Abstract, Lilacs, Medline, PubMed, Scielo, Scopus, ResearchGate, and ISI Web of Knowledge were used. The keywords searched were ladybugs, Entomology, predator, beetles, Coleoptera, insects, natural enemies, biological control, pests, agriculture, and insecticides. Works from the period 1993 to 2025 were included in this review.