The Adorable Ladybug or the Asian Ladybeetle?

Some people find it confusing to find that some ladybugs are dotted and red (the Common Ladybug), while others are orange with dots (the Asian Ladybeetle). There are actually about 5,000 species of the insect!

There really isn’t much difference in the two types, besides that the Asian Ladybeetle has become quite the nuisance to home and business owners in Wisconsin and even nationwide. On the flip side, they are very beneficial to the farming community.

Asian lady beetles (Harmonia axyridis), were first introduced to the U.S. in 1916 as a way to help control pests such as aphids and other soft-bodied arthropods. After about 1988, populations of Ladybeetles began to explode and create a problem.

After a good frost, lady beetles will find shelter in homes and buildings. You can find them resting on the Southwestern sides of homes and buildings, usually in the afternoon hours. When seeking warmth, they will crawl on the siding and find their way in around windows, vents, doors, attics, wall voids, or cracks in the foundation. Once inside, they will usually remain there until their area warms up again (usually until the temperature is around 50 °F).

Some Asian Ladybeetle Facts:

*They are around 1/3”-1/4” long

*They can be yellow-orange to red

*They can have anywhere from 0-22 spots on their wings

*Their diet includes plants such as: evergreens, apple and maple trees, alfalfa, wheat, cotton, tobacco, and small grains

*Asian Beetles emit an unpleasant odor and can stain surfaces with their yellowish secretions if disturbed

To prevent unwanted Ladybeetles from entering your home:

*Seal any cracks in windows, doors, or other places they might enter the house

*Sweep and Vacuum to remove and release unwanted beetles from indoors

If a problem becomes too daunting or overwhelming, it’s best to call a professional, licensed pest management company to assist.

Image by NPMA