A genus of small, round beetles commonly called ladybugs or ladybird beetles, known for eating aphids and other pests.
From Late Latin 'coccineus' (scarlet red), named for the bright red wing covers of many species.
Ladybugs got their name from medieval European farmers who prayed to the Virgin Mary for help with crop pests, and when ladybugs ate the pests, they called them 'Our Lady's beetles'—eventually shortened to ladybugs.
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