Do ladybugs eat plants?

One particular species of the ladybug, which is known as the Mexican bean beetle, eats plants and is considered to be a pest. Although most ladybugs are carnivores, some also eat mushrooms, pollen and mildew.

Although the diet of the ladybug varies by species, most ladybugs are beloved by farmers for their propensity to eat aphids, a pest that sucks the sap from plants and is known for its ability to destroy crops. Just one ladybug can eat up to 5,000 crop-destroying aphids in its lifetime.

Some ladybugs are raised commercially and sold to farmers to help control the occurrence of aphids.