Asian Lady Beetle

Asian lady beetle is a brightly colored beetle that is a native of the eastern Asia. They are referred to as the harlequin or multicolored Asian. Isn’t that a cool name for a beetle? The Asian lady beetle is no ordinary kind of beetle; it is one of the largest in its family of Coccinellidae.

Asian lady beetles appear in almost every part of the world and vary from one another in color. This beetle was primarily found in eastern parts of Asia, but they were later on introduced to both Europe and North America. Wondering why somebody will introduce these bugs into a country? They were brought in to destroy the scale insects and aphids.

Several species of the aphids pose a direct threat to the crepe myrtle, ornamental rose, plum, crepe, peach, magnolia, apple, cabbage, clover, tulip, vetch, maple, and pine plants. All of these plants are kept safe and far away from aphids with the help of Asian lady beetles.

How does the Asian Lady Beetle look like?

These Asian lady beetles are about ¼ inch in length. They are oval and convex in shape. You can spot a lady beetle that can be of red, orange, or tan in color. Several spots that are black are found on the back and the cover of its wings. However, several Asian lady beetles don’t have such kind of spots on their wings.

You can distinguish a male from a female by spotting all the black spots. A female has multiple spots, on the other hand, a male doesn’t have any. You can even spot either the letter W or M carved back on the head of the beetles.

An Asian Lady Beetle lays its eggs in clusters on the underside of leaves. These are oval and yellowish in color. The larvae have a combination of black and orange shade on its body. It looks nothing like the Asian lady beetle. Larvae of the beetle continue to live on the plant where they consume the aphids.

In the pupal stage, the non-mobile cocoon stays attached to the vegetation with the help of its molted skin like body. You can even find it clinging right outside the walls. A beetle lays several eggs each year. They can live for three years, and it takes as long as a month for the egg to turn into an adult.

The Asian lady beetle secretes a foul odor that is yellowish in color and is found in the liquid state. If the beetle feels threatened or disturbed, then it releases the fluid from its joints. They are mostly found on trees, orchards, and trees.

Biology and Behavior

You can find the Asian Lady Beetle all year long. However, they are dormant during the cooler months when the temperature crosses 10 degree Celsius. These beetles reside inside the cracks and crevices of buildings where it is cold, confined, and dry.

They are found in large numbers in one place because of their pheromones which they use as a signal to indicate where they are currently living. This happens during the autumn months. The sleeping or hibernating Asian Lady Beetles wake up to soak in the warmth of the sun during the moderately cold winter mornings. That is exactly when the problem starts to arise.

They swarm together in a large number and can be located to linger around in one spot. The beetles choose places like corners of windows.

If provoked the Asian Lady Beetle will bite. They have an excellent sense of sight and return to the place from where they are eradicated.

Habitat of the Asian Lady Beetles

They are found in every natural habitat and grow in every kind and type of vegetation. Asian lady beetles lay eggs in these places and also look for their food here. During their hibernation period, the Asian Lady Beetles feed on the stored fat. They are known to hibernate in large numbers. From forests to fields, gardens, grasslands, and residential areas, Asian lady beetles are found everywhere.

They are widely used by gardeners to protect their crops from several threats like the aphids. The Asian Lady Beetles were first found in Japan, China, Korea, and Russia. They were native to Asia and are new to the United States of America and Europe. Louisiana was the first state in America where one could spot an Asian Lady Beetle.

Difference between Asian Lady Beetle and Ladybug

There are more than 500 species of Asian lady beetle in North America alone. As the weather changes, you can spot several of these little things around your home. They either live in the cracks and crevices of your house when it is cold or swarm outside as spring sets in. But, there is a slight problem which is how similar the Asian lady beetle and the Ladybug looks like. The advantages of introducing the Asian Lady Beetles in the United States of America was duly noted especially by the grower community, however, no one saw how they can increase in number in no time.

Did you know that the Asian Lady Beetle and the Lady Bug have a lot of similarities in them? But, we are going to teach you the differences that set them apart.

When you observe closely, you will see that the ladybugs are bright and reddish in color with distinguishing black spots on the body. On the other hand, the Asian Lady Beetles may or may not have the dark spots on their body. Another point of difference in their physical appearance is the occurrence of a W or M like mark just below the head of the Asian Lady Beetle. You will find that the lady beetle has a larger and rounder face than the ladybug.

The ladybugs pose absolutely no threat to humans on the other hand when threatened the Asian lady beetle secrete a foul odor and can also bite. So, if you witness an insect with a lighter shade of orange along with the letter M or W on the base of its head and no spots then be sure it is an Asian Lady Beetle.

Are Asian Lady Beetles Harmful?

Asian lady beetles roam around in swarms and easily gather on the sun-warmed side of the walls. They can enter homes through the smallest space and gather around the door screens, windows, corners, doorways, eaves, and other places. It can be very disturbing to see insects crawling around in and around your house, that too in large numbers. However, there is much more to this. The Asian Lady Beetle is capable of releasing a toxic and harmful foul odor that is in the form of a yellowish liquid. They release this liquid from the joints of their legs if they feel threatened or disturbed. It will leave behind a stain on your carpets, clothes, bed sheets, and drapes.

Asian Lady Beetle Pictures

Collection of some of the fascinating pictures of Asian lady beetles:

Signs of Asian Lady Beetle Infestation

Asian Lady Beetles are found on the outside of buildings, but they invade homes as soon as it begins to get cold outside. You can spot the Asian Lady Beetles in a huge number outside your doors, windows, walls, and even inside the attics. This happens during the months of September to all the way to November. They are pretty easy to spot because they move in large numbers and often leave behind stains on everything they climb. You will also come across the foul smell that they emit.

How to Get Rid of Asian Lady Beetles?

We have made a list of natural remedies that you can try to take care of the problem that Asian Lady Beetles pose.

• Turn down the heat in your home. Asian Lady Beetles are attracted to your home for one reason, and that is the presence of heat. Seal every small space and gap in your home and winterise your home.
• These beetles hate the smell of menthol and camphor. When used together they can repel the Asian Lady Beetles without using any chemicals or insecticides. Mix equal quantities of both with water and spray it around your home.
• Vacuum your home after every few days to keep it clean.
• The strong smell of bay leaves keeps a majority of the insects away including the Asian Lady Beetles. You can spread it around your house to get rid of them.
• Diatomaceous earth is an excellent remedy for both pets and insects. They can effectively kill all the pests that infiltrate your homes. Sprinkle this powder all around your house and don’t miss out the windows or any other entry point in your house. The diatomaceous earth causes dehydration in the Asian Lady Beetles which then leads to death.

Here, is everything that you need to know about the Asian Lady Beetles. They are however not of any threat to your plants and gardens. The Asian Lady Beetles will keep every aphid far away from ruining your plants.