Ladybugs are predators by nature, feasting on aphids, mites, and other small plant-eating insects. They may eat thousands of these in their lifetime. The female may eat up to 75 aphids a day, while the smaller male may eat up to 40 aphids a day. Since aphids are generally bad for plants, farmers welcome these hungry predators. Ladybugs do not have many predators. They secrete a foul tasting fluid from their legs. This fluid is so unpleasant that the predator will let them go and remember not to prey on a ladybug again. The ladybugs bright coloring and spots are nature's way of letting others know to stay away. Ladybugs will occasionally play dead to fool predators. Humans are the biggest threat to ladybugs through the form of pesticides.