a lady bug sitting on top of a green plant

Coccinellidae, a widespread family of small beetles ranging in size from 0.8 to 18 mm (0.03 to 0.71 in). The family is commonly known as ladybugs in North America and ladybirds in Great Britain and other parts of the English-speaking world. Entomologists prefer the names ladybird beetles or lady beetles as these insects are not classified as true bugs. Coccinellids are often conspicuously coloured yellow, orange, or red with small black spots on their wing covers, with black legs, heads and antennae.