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Ladybugs are also called lady beetles or Ladybird beetles. A study was done using ladybugs to determine kin relationships and canobilism. The study showed that by the third instar most beetles could interact with their kin and be deamed as not food. The study found that the reareing enviroment had no effect onn how soon the ladybugs determined kin from foe.

Photo Courtesy of: http://www.lady-beetles.com/ladybug_pictures.htm

   Source: EBSCOhost. Joseph, Snyder, Moore, and Moore Allen. Cannibalizing Harmonia axyridis (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) larvae use endogenous cues to avoid eating relatives. Journel of Evolutionary Biology; Jul99, Vol. 12, Issue 4, Pg 792.