# 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! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 1,058 - **Habitat:** Fields, gardens, and homes - **Also known as:** Harlequin Ladybird, Multicolored Asian Lady Beetle ![Asian Lady Beetle](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426100/objects/5491.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Coleoptera - **Family:** Coccinellidae - **Genus:** Harmonia ## 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 - **Stinky Defense Goo:** Asian Lady Beetle can ooze a foul-smelling yellow fluid from its legs that helps them deter hungry predators. - **Winter Sleepover:** Asian Lady Beetle can gather in large groups in sheltered spots that helps them survive winter by staying warm. - **Super Pest Hunter:** Asian Lady Beetle has a huge appetite that helps them quickly devour garden pests like aphids, protecting plants. - **Swift Wings:** 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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) — Birds might opportunistically eat them despite their defenses. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Aerial](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aerial): Aerial creatures spend a significant portion of their lives airborne, utilizing flight for various activities such as hunting, migration, or nesting. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. - [Invasive](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/invasive): Invasive species are non-native organisms that cause harm to the environment, economy, or human health. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects-and-bugs) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Do not touch or pick up. Some insects sting or bite. Ask an adult for help. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Asian Lady Beetle? Look for hard wing covers meeting in a line down the back, then compare the antennae, body shape, legs and markings. Metallic colors shift a lot with lighting. Beetle Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Asian Lady Beetle's wingspan? 10-16 mm ### How big is Asian Lady Beetle? 5-8 mm ### How long does Asian Lady Beetle live? 30-365 days ### How fast can Asian Lady Beetle fly? 15 km/h ### What does Asian Lady Beetle eat? These beetles are bug-eaters, feasting on small garden pests to help plants grow! ### Where is Asian Lady Beetle usually found? Fields, gardens, and homes ### How does Asian Lady Beetle hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/albemarle-and-chesapeake-canal) — Virginia, US · Historic Site - [Ambler Heights Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/ambler-heights-historic-district) — Ohio, US · Historic District - [American Baptist College](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/american-baptist-college) — Tennessee, US · Campus - [Americus Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/americus-historic-district) — Georgia, US · Historic District - [Arnold Arboretum](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/arnold-arboretum) — Massachusetts, US · Botanical Garden - [Ashley River Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/ashley-river-historic-district) — South Carolina, US · Historic District [View all places to see Asian Lady Beetle](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/asian-lady-beetle) ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Asian Lady Beetle: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/asian-lady-beetle)