Asian Lady Beetle

Harmonia axyridis

The Asian Lady Beetle has a similar look to the common ladybug but can have many different colors and patterns. They are also good at controlling pests!

Habitat: Fields, gardens, and homes

Appearance

The Asian Lady Beetle is a small, dome-shaped insect, typically bright orange or red with varying numbers of black spots, though some are black with red spots or unspotted. It can be visually distinguished by an 'M' or 'W' shaped marking on its white or cream-colored pronotum behind its head.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderColeopteraFamilyCoccinellidaeGenusHarmonia

Asian Lady Beetle

Interesting facts

Adults can live for up to a year, hiding during winter!

One beetle can devour thousands of tiny garden pests in its lifetime!

Their larvae look like tiny, spiky alligators or crocodiles!

They were introduced to many countries to control garden aphids.

Special abilities

Asian Lady Beetle can ooze a foul-smelling yellow fluid from its legs that helps them deter hungry predators.

Asian Lady Beetle can gather in large groups in sheltered spots that helps them survive winter by staying warm.

Asian Lady Beetle has a huge appetite that helps them quickly devour garden pests like aphids, protecting plants.

Asian Lady Beetle can fly quickly and efficiently that helps them search for food and find new habitats.

Measurements & details

Wingspan: 10-16 mm
Size: 5-8 mm
Lifespan: 30-365 days
Flight Speed: 15 km/h
Leg Count: 6

Diet & Feeding

These beetles are bug-eaters, feasting on small garden pests to help plants grow!

Age differences: Larvae are strictly carnivorous, while adults may also sip nectar and pollen.

Primary Foods

Aphids
Scale insects
Mites
Mealybugs

Foraging Method

Foraging

Ecological connections

hunts

Cotton aphid

Aphis gossypii

A primary food source for both larvae and adults.

hunts

Green peach aphid

Myzus persicae

Feasts on these common agricultural pests.

parasitizes

Lady beetle parasitoid wasp

Dinocampus coccinellae

Lays an egg inside the beetle, developing internally.

eaten by

Blue Jay

Cyanocitta cristata

Birds might opportunistically eat them despite their defenses.

Traits

Wildlife

Step into the incredible world of wild animals and plants living freely in nature. From tiny insects to towering trees, it's all part of the wild wonders around us!

Aerial

Discover amazing creatures that spend much of their lives soaring high above the ground, often using wings to fly! They might hunt, travel, or even sleep up in the sky.

Colorful

Discover amazing plants and animals that show off a dazzling array of bright and beautiful hues! They use their vibrant colors to attract attention or send signals.

Insectivorous

Discover clever creatures that specialize in munching on insects, playing a super important role in keeping bug populations in check. They are nature's tiny bug vacuums!

Diurnal

Wake up with creatures that are most active during the day! They love the sunshine for finding food, playing, and exploring.

Urban Friendly

Spot amazing living things that thrive right alongside us in cities and towns, finding homes in parks, gardens, and even cracks in pavements.

Invasive

Sometimes, plants or animals move to a new place where they don't naturally belong. They can grow so much that they make it hard for the native plants and animals to thrive.

Pollinator

Meet the busy helpers of the plant world! These creatures carry pollen from one flower to another, helping plants make seeds and grow fruits and vegetables.