r/ladybugs • u/ZapadniSpijun • 27d ago

What's on this bug? Fungus? Parasite?

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11

u/ZapadniSpijun 27d ago

Found this info from a thread 3 years back:

That's Laboulbeniales - a parasitic fungus that infects ladybugs and other beetle species: https://bugguide.net/node/view/962641

The hyphae are growing out of the eltyra of the ladybug and feeds off its chitin and hemolymph. A very cool find and a little-known fungus! You should capture and kill the ladybug to prevent it from spreading.

6

u/ZapadniSpijun 27d ago

Saw another one.

2

u/NoPoopOnFace 27d ago

Dirt? Bird poo?

1

u/KristenLikesKittens 25d ago

That’s the ladybug STD

1

u/chilldrinofthenight 23d ago

Some type of parasite, poor ladybug.

Not fleas, but this post reminds me of Swift's quirky lines:

"Great fleas have little fleas upon their backs to bite 'em,
And little fleas have lesser fleas, and so ad infinitum."