Ladybirds, as they are called in the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and other countries, are known in the United States as ladybugs. Among the scientific community, the preferred names are lady beetles and ladybird beetles. Other less common names might be lady cow, lady fly, and ladyclock. These adorable insects are quite small and are known by their scarlet, yellow, or orange color with small black spots. They are favored by children because they truly are adorable insects. Although most are known by their bright colorings, there are species of these insects, Coccinellids that can be black, grey, or brown, making them difficult to identify. Also, there are different species of beetles that can be mistaken for ladybirds because they are similar in appearance. These insects originated in the Middle Ages and are thought to be symbolic of good fortune. The lifecycle of the insect takes it from eggs to larvae to pupae to adult beetles.