I am a science coach with our school district and our first graders are going to be raising and caring for ladybugs in the classroom. We need to know what to feed them other than aphids? Hopefully we can find a food that is "classroom friendly". Can you help?
I did a little research, and the adults do eat aphids, and what I found suggests you keep adults in captivity no more than several days, (they suggest feeding honey water), since their nutrition will not be adequate. If you are purchasing from a supplier that regularly supplies schools, they may be able to offer a more complete diet. Good Luck.
Here is a website for keeping pet ladybugs and their diet which raisins and bananas and other sweet non acidic fruits are recommended with a moistened paper towel kept sprayed with water for them to drink.
Here is the website I found: www.ladybuglady.com/
This page contains the following solutions.
I put out any fruit that has a high sugar content and is soft-fleshed to eat. I also figured that a fruit with a high water content is also a good choice when considering appropriate fruits to feed a ladybug, as opposed to putting water out for it to possibly drown in.
Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
What do they eat besides bugs? What fruits can they eat?
By Luna
Ladybugs are very hardy little creatures, they can eat any food really, or at least mine do. I feed mine mostly globs of honey, raisins soaked in water for a few minutes, lettuce, and wilting broccoli.
I have a lady bug right now, and I know that ladybugs can eat grapes but you have to peel the skin so they can eat it because they also eat raisins. My ladybug Stewart also has a few drops of water and some soil and grass.
What do ladybugs need to live? What do they eat? How much water do they drink?
By Makala C.
Just wet a little paper towel or something and give it too your ladybug.
Get a bottle cap and fill a quarter with water and put it with your lady bug.
It is not good to leave standing water for any insect to drink. It is best to use a cotton ball, sponge, or paper towel soaked (but not drenched) in water. Otherwise, the insect would drown.
I see what we are suppose to feed ladybugs raisins, but there is a problem with that. I only have chocolate yogurt raisins. My ladybug doesn't enjoy honey or bananas too much, but I have to keep him/her captive because he/she can't fly.
Would it be safe to give her/him chocolate yogurt raisins? Also, what are other foods can I give to my ladybug?Only feed Ladybugs plain raisins socked in water for a few minutes. Do not leave standing water, they will suck on a wet paper towel or a cotton ball soaked in water.
