The Life and Importance of the Ladybug

Why do ladybugs lay their eggs underneath leaves?

• A. Aphids do not like to live underneath leaves.

• B. Larvae can find food to eat underneath leaves.

• C. Eggs are protected from the cold underneath leaves.

• D. Ladybugs can hide from predators underneath leaves.

Which detail supports the main idea that ladybugs are an important part of the ecosystem?

• A. “Ladybugs live for two to three years and can be found in many different places.” (paragraph 6)

• B. “. . . they sleep in rotting logs or under rocks when it gets too cold.” (paragraph 6)

• C. “Ladybugs can eat up to 50 aphids a day and as many as 5,000 in their lifetime.” (paragraph 7)

• D. “An ecosystem is a group of things that live together, . . .” (paragraph 8)

Read the sentence from paragraph 3. The larvae attach themselves to a leaf or stem when they are full size. What does the word attach mean in this sentence?

• A. The larvae are eating leaves.

• B. The larvae are sticking to leaves.

• C. The larvae are turning into leaves.

• D. The larvae are growing bigger than leaves.

Under which heading can readers find information about how ladybugs help get rid of bothersome insects?

• A. The Life of a Ladybug

• B. Adult Ladybugs

• C. Ladybugs Control Pests

• D. Ladybugs Help the Ecosystem

Read the sentence from paragraph 5. These spots and their bright color warn predators that they are not tasty and might be poisonous. What are predators?

• A. ladybugs without any spots

• B. creatures that have a bad smell

• C. animals that hunt and eat other animals

• D. insects that fly away when they are frightened

Why does the author write this passage?

• A. to show that all ladybugs are female insects

• B. to explain the types of food ladybugs need to survive

• C. to explain why farmers try to remove ladybugs from plants

• D. to show that ladybugs are an important part of the ecosystems