Lady Bugs & Asian Lady Beetles

Lady beetles, commonly known as ladybugs, are a type of ladybird beetle and are beneficial insects in the garden, especially when it comes to pest control. Most species of lady beetles feed on aphids, mites, and other harmful pests that can damage plants. However, not all lady beetles are equally helpful—some can actually become pests themselves.

Good Lady Beetles:

  • The most common good lady beetles are two-spotted lady beetles (Adalia bipunctata) and seven-spotted lady beetles (Coccinella septempunctata). These are usually red or orange with black spots on their wings.
  • Good lady beetles feed on pests like aphids, scale insects, and mealybugs, helping keep your garden healthy.

Bad Lady Beetles:

  • The bad lady beetles are usually Asian lady beetles (Harmonia axyridis). They can be yellow, orange, or red, with various patterns of black spots, but often have a distinct “M” shaped marking on their heads.
  • These beetles can be invasive and are more likely to invade homes in the fall, seeking warmth. While they do feed on pests, they can sometimes damage crops and outcompete native lady beetles.
  • They are also known to bite humans if disturbed and can be a nuisance when they gather indoors.

How to Tell the Difference:

  1. Color and Spots:
    • Good lady beetles (like the seven-spotted variety) are usually red with distinct black spots.
    • Bad lady beetles (like the Asian variety) can range in color from orange to red and might have more varied spots or even none at all.
  2. Head Marking:
    • Asian lady beetles often have an “M” shaped marking on their head, which is absent in most beneficial lady beetles.
  3. Behavior:
    • While both types are capable of flying, Asian lady beetles are more likely to invade homes in the cooler months, which is a clue they might be unwanted pests.

To encourage good lady beetles, plant a variety of flowering plants that attract them, such as dandelions, sunflowers, and dahlias, and provide habitat like leafy areas or plants with dense foliage. If you encounter harmful Asian lady beetles in your home, you should remove them or use sticky traps to avoid their nuisance!