If you think that there is just one type of ladybug having red wings and black spots then you are wrong. There are many species of ladybug and a new research has found that their colors reveal the level of their toxicity.

Researchers from the Universities of Cambridge and Exeter have found that the more noticeable and colorful the ladybug species, less chances it has to be attacked by birds. Study researcher Lina Maria Arenas from the University of Cambridge said that ladybug is quite popular.

It is considered to be one of the most charismatic insects and a friend to every gardener. "The study shows that not only does ladybird colour reveal how toxic they are to predators, but also that birds understand the signals that the ladybugs are giving. Birds are less likely to attack more conspicuous ladybugs", said Maria.

The study researchers have measured toxicity of the ladybugs through a biological evaluation. Through this assessment, the researchers counted the number of dead Daphnia in water having the different ladybug toxins.

It was found that the ladybug that displayed the most colorful exteriors were the ones that had the most toxic chemical defenses.

As per the researchers, the five most common ladybug species have different levels of toxic defense. The ladybug's natural predators are birds. Owing to their size in comparison to the ladybird, there stands no question of fighting with them. Therefore, the ladybugs have developed two types of defense mechanisms.