The Surprising Science Behind Their 3,600-Foot Flights

The post How Ladybugs Fly: The Surprising Science Behind Their 3,600-Foot Flights appeared first on A-Z Animals.

Quick Take

• Ladybugs can reach 3,600 feet in altitude.

• Typical ladybug flights can last anywhere from 36 minutes to two hours.

• The hard shell functions as a necessary stabilizer for high-speed travel.

Ladybugs are fascinating creatures, and when they begin appearing, it’s a sure sign that spring is near. When one of these colorful beetles lands on you, it often means good luck. But have you ever paid attention to how it flies in the first place? This Instagram post by @explainingnature shows a ladybug taking off in slow motion, and it looks pretty complex. Keep reading to learn more about how ladybugs fly.

How Do Ladybugs Fly?

At first glance, ladybugs don’t look like they should even be able to fly. They have an outer shell that looks like it shouldn’t be able to move. However, this is one of the components of their flight. Ladybugs have two sets of wings that they use in tandem to fly. The first set, the outer shell, is the elytra. These hard and colorful wings don’t work like traditional wings. Rather than flapping, these wings mostly protect the wings that lie underneath. In flight, the elytra act as stabilizers to prevent shaking or wobbling. They also improve the ladybug’s aerodynamics, making it an excellent flyer. The second pair of wings is the hind wings. The hind wings are delicate wings that fold out once the elytra lifts up. You can see this very clearly in the video, as the wings snap out for takeoff. A typical flight only lasts a few minutes at most.

So, how fast can ladybugs fly? For such tiny insects, they can fly incredibly quickly! Most ladybugs can accelerate up to 37 miles per hour, and this varies by species. Almost like a tradeoff, their flight time is pretty short. A typical ladybug flight lasts around 36 minutes, and some flights can last up to 2 hours. They fly to search for food, new habitats, and to escape predators. Ladybugs are praised for being amazing natural pest controllers as they eat aphids and other pests. To be able to really take in their surroundings, ladybugs can fly quite high. Ladybugs have been recorded flying at altitudes up to about 3,600 feet! Ladybugs are surprisingly impressive flyers for their small size.

The post How Ladybugs Fly: The Surprising Science Behind Their 3,600-Foot Flights appeared first on A-Z Animals.