As spring arrives, the multi-colored Asian lady beetles begin to emerge from their winter quarters in search for food. Those that have invaded a home or other structure may be seen moving into living areas in large numbers. Vacuuming is one of the most effective methods for removing these lady beetles (the beetles may then be released outdoors). The use of insecticides indoors as a method of control for these lady beetles is not recommended.
Xing Ping Hu, Extension Specialist
History of the Multi-colored Asian Lady Beetle
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Native to Korea, Russia, Japan and other parts of the Orient, the multi-colored Asian Lady beetle was imported to North America as early as 1916. These beetles were released as part of a Federal effort to control sucking insect pests that damage trees and crops. These releases were considered to have failed, and several more releases were conducted by the U. S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) in the 1970's and 80's. These efforts were also considered to be unsuccessful.
The multi-colored Asian lady beetle population that has established in North America, originated as an accidental release from a ship at a port in New Orleans. Now, the multicolored Asian lady beetle is well established in the United States.
What is the difference in appearance between native lady beetles and Asian lady beetles?
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Photograph taken by:
Gyorgy Csoka, Hungary Forest Research Institute, Bugwood.org
The name "Ladybug" is slang for the correct name Lady Beetle. Other names for this insect include the Ladybird and Ladybird Beetle. Lady beetles make up the family Coccinellidae and there are about 400 different species in North America.
The multi-colored Asian lady beetle, Harmonia axyridis, is a member of this family. Entomologists typically refer to this species by its common name because it describes the beetles high variability of color. Other common names include the multi-colored Asian ladybird beetle, the multi-colored Asian ladybug, Asian lady beetle, and it has even been called the Halloween beetle!
The wing color of the multi-colored Asian lady beetle can range from red to pumpkin-orange, mustard-yellow and even jet-black. They may have no black spots or as many as 20 ebony polka dots.
The multi-colored Asian lady beetle can be easily distinguished from other native lady beetles by its unique "M" shaped mark on the thorax (the thorax is the section that separates the head from the abdomen). All multi-colored Asian lady beetles have this mark, although the "M" can look thick, thin or even broken in appearance.
How to protect your home from the multi-colored Asian lady beetle?
The introduction of the multi-colored Asian lady beetle to this country has brought a mixed blessing. These insects are beneficial, in that they help to control aphids, scaled insects and other soft-bodied insects in trees and crops. Unfortunately, they are also a nuisance pest that invade and congregate in homes and other structures in fall months when seeking a site to endure the winter. They may leave smears and other stains on walls and window frame. When smashed because they have a defensive mechanism called feflexive bleeding that allows them to release body fluids when threatened. This fluid has a foul-smelling odor, so residents should avoid smashing beetles if possible.
Residents or homeowners who wish to keep them out in fall and winter, can do so by caulking exterior cracks and crevices before the lady beetles seek overwintering sites. This is the best way to keep them from becoming a household nuisance. This will also keep out other unwanted insects and will save on energy costs.
As spring arrives, the multi-colored Asian lady beetles begin emerging from their winter quarters in search for food. Those that have invaded a home or other structure may be seen moving into living areas in large numbers. Vacuuming is one of the most effective methods for removing these lady beetles (the beetles may then be released outdoors). The use of insecticides indoors as a method of control for these lady beetles is not recommended.
Once outside, they will look for food, mate and the females will begin laying eggs on foliage. A short time later both males and females will die, but the larvae will hatch and start feed on sucking and soft-bodied insects.
Special thanks to Jerri Caldwell and Kelly Ridley for their edits.
