Ladybugs, or Ladybirds as the names suggest, are not actually bugs or birds but belong to the family of beetles. Not all ladybugs are "ladies." There are both male and female ladybugs. The ladybug scientific name Coccinellidae literally means a small red sphere in Latin, although ladybugs are found in a variety of colors, ranging from yellow, orange, maroon, and scarlet. Some ladybugs are completely black, with bright red spots on their wings.
Another name for ladybugs is coleoptera, that means sheath winged. So how did the ladybugs get their name?
In the Middle Ages, these insects were named after the Virgin Mary, who was often shown wearing a red cloak in many paintings and were popularly known as the 'Beetle of Our Lady'. The seven black spots on the wings of the ladybugs were said to represent the seven joys and seven sorrows of Mother Mary. The name 'Beetle of Our Lady' was eventually shortened to 'ladybug'. Other names by which the ladybugs are known are 'ladybird beetles' or 'lady beetles', 'lady cow' and 'lady fly'.
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