Yes. Ladybugs do eat mites.

 

How Ladybugs Eat Mites

 

Ladybugs, also known as lady beetles, have mouthparts adapted for chewing. Both adults and larvae are active predators. They locate mites by sensing movement and chemical cues on plant surfaces. Once found, they grasp a mite with their mandibles and consume it whole, often leaving the mite’s empty outer cover behind.

 

Which Mites Ladybugs Target

 

• Spider Mites (Tetranychus species): Very common on vegetables and ornamentals; spin fine webs.
• Two-spotted Mites: A type of spider mite that causes yellow speckling on leaves.
• Eriophyid Mites: Tiny, worm-like mites that induce galls or leaf deformities.

 

Benefits of Ladybugs Eating Mites

 

• Natural Pest Control: Reduces need for chemical miticides, protecting beneficial insects and pollinators.
• Plant Health: Keeps mite populations low, preventing leaf damage, discoloration, and stunted growth.
• Cost Effective: Once established, ladybugs reproduce and continue controlling mites without extra expense.

 

Encouraging Ladybugs in Your Garden

 

• Provide Shelter: Plant ground covers or leave patches of mulch where ladybug larvae can hide.
• Grow Pollen-Rich Flowers: Species like dill, fennel and marigolds offer adult ladybugs an additional food source (pollen) when mites are scarce.
• Avoid Broad-Spectrum Insecticides: These chemicals kill both pests and beneficial predators like ladybugs.
• Introduce Beetles: Purchase and release commercially available ladybugs during early morning or evening to reduce escape rates.

 

Real-World Example

 

In regions such as Nashua, gardeners and greenhouse operators rely on ladybugs to keep mite outbreaks under control. By integrating these natural predators into a broader pest management plan, many have achieved healthier plants with minimal chemical use.