Why do ladybugs have spots?

When I was a child, my parents used to tell me that the number of the spots corresponds to the age of a ladybug and it was definitely an answer that a little girl want to hear. But the truth is, these insects are born with a number of spots that won't change for the rest of their life. It all depends on the species we are actually looking at. They can come with different patterns and colors, but the most known is the seven-spotted, red ladybug that helps us control plant pests in our gardens.

So why do ladybugs have spots? Like lots of other animals, these little beetles need some kind of camouflage to protect themselves. Black spots on their bright red body inform other animals that they might be poisonous and it won't be a good idea to eat them.