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Ladybug Lifecycle Craft

A book my daughter checked out from the library recently, inspired us to do some research about ladybugs. We ended up spending several days learning all about them. My daughter loves all things crafty, so I designed a fun craft project to do while teaching her about the ladybug lifecycle. Here's the instructions, plus some information and resources about the ladybug lifecycle:


The Ladybug Lifecycle:

From egg to adult, the ladybug lifecycle takes around 4 to 8 weeks. Ladybugs begin life as eggs. The eggs are usually laid on leaves or other parts of a plant. In 2 to 10 days larvae hatch from the eggs.

Ladybug larva

The larvae spend the next couple weeks eating lots of aphids and other small soft bodied insects. When the larvae are ready to pupate, they attach themselves to leaves. They stay there for the next 7 to 15 days while the metamorphosis from larvae to adult takes place. 

Ladybug pupa

Newly metamorphosed adults have soft exoskeletons, but they quickly harden, and then they are ready to go on their way.

Adult ladybug

You can watch a timelapse video of the process here: The Stunning Lifecycle of a Ladybug.



Ladybug Lifecycle Craft:

For this craft you will need:
-A red piece of construction paper
-A black piece of construction paper
-A white piece of paper
-A black marker
-Scissors
-Glue or paste
-A stapler
-Crayons or markers
-A pair of googly eyes
-A pipe cleaner

Start by tracing a large circle of the same size on the red, white, and black pieces of paper (we traced a medium sized pot). Then cut the circles out. Cut a straight line up the center of the red paper almost to the top. Leave about a half inch at the top uncut.



Next glue the white circle onto the black circle and draw lines dividing the white paper into quarters.



Next have your child draw a picture and label of each of the 4 parts of the ladybug life cycle (egg, larva, pupa, adult), one in each section of the white circle. You can read about the ladybug life cycle at Kids Growing Strong: Ladybug Lifecycle or watch this video: Lifecycle of a Ladybug.




Next cut a small circle out of the left over black construction paper (we traced a cup). Staple the small black circle onto the top of the white circle, this will be your ladybug's head. Then staple the red circle over the white circle. Staple it just at the top so the "wings" can open. 



Draw black spots on the red wings. Glue the googly eyes on the head. Fold the pipe cleaner in half and staple onto the top of the head for antennas. 

Ladybug Craft from The Barefoot Mom


Now you have a ladybug and when you open it's wings you have a diagram of the ladybug lifecycle!


Other Ladybug Themed Learning Activities

-Go on a nature walk and try to spot ladybugs in each phase of the ladybug lifecycle.

-Participate in the Lost Ladybug Project- a citizen science project designed to track ladybug populations. Learn more here: The Lost Ladybug Project.


Resources for Learning About Ladybugs:


-National Geographic Kids: Ladybird Facts!

-Ladybug Facts video from Animal Fact Files 

*Learn more about insects and their fascinating lifecycles with this printable All About Insects learning pack: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/All-About-Insects-Learning-Pack-8137332







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Comments

  1. Amber MarieApril 23, 2018 at 6:48 AM

    My son has been so curious about ladybugs this spring! This will help him learn more about them. Thank you for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  2. CrystalApril 23, 2018 at 8:22 AM

    How fun! My 7 year old would love this, she is a craft-o-holic!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Michelle CannonApril 25, 2018 at 11:03 PM

    Simple, cute, and effective! I like it! I'm sure little kids do, too.

    ReplyDelete
  4. EmilyMay 1, 2018 at 3:06 PM

    Stopping by from the Littles Learning Linkup... What a cute ladybug idea! Pinning to my Letter of the Week board since we focused on ladybugs when we covered letter L. :)

    ReplyDelete

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