LadyBird Anatomy

Ladybirds have a protective covering over their wings called 'elytra'. When ladybirds fly, the 'elytra opens up to allow movement of the wings. When it is still, the 'elytra' closes up.

The head of a ladybird is very tiny, although the females head is larger than the males. The head is so tiny, it can sometimes be mistaken for the 'pronotum'.

Like all insects, ladybirds have 6 jointed legs, arranged each side in 3 pairs, 2 antennea, an exoskeleton which is made from 'chitin' - a strong protein that is similar to what makes our hair and nails.

They have a 3 part body made up of head, thorax and abdomen.
If you look closely at the top of the Ladybird you will probably have thought the large black section on top of the body is it's head, but it's head is on top of it's pronotum!