[ noun ] small round bright-colored and spotted beetle that usually feeds on aphids and other insect pests <noun.animal>
Ladybird \La"dy*bird`\, n. [Equiv. to, bird of Our Lady.] (Zo["o]l.) Any one of numerous species of small beetles of the genus {Coccinella} and allied genera (family {Coccinellid[ae]}); -- called also {ladybug}, {ladyclock}, {lady cow}, {lady fly}, {ladybeetle}, and {lady beetle}. {Coccinella seplempunctata} in one of the common European species. See {Coccinella}.
Note: The ladybirds are usually more or less hemispherical in form, with a smooth, polished surface, and often colored red, brown, or black, with small spots of brighter colors. Both the larv[ae] and the adult beetles of most species feed on aphids, and for this reason they are very beneficial to agriculture and horticulture.
A tiny ladybird beetle imported last year from Israel also is being studied as a possible weapon against the fly.