Asian Lady Beetles
Biology
The Asian lady beetle is found throughout North America. It’s coloring is almost exact to the common lady bug. This multi-colored and spotted lady beetle is a natural control for harmful plant pests such as aphids and other soft-bodied insects. Its tendency to overwinter in homes and buildings are usually in large numbers.
If provoked or crushed, the beetles may release a defensive reaction known as “reflex bleeding,” this is when a yellow fluid with an unpleasant odor is released from leg joints. This reaction normally prevents predators, such a birds, from eating lady beetles. Unfortunately, if this happens within the home, the fluid may stain walls and fabrics.
Lady beetles have four life stages: egg, larva, pupa and adult. The Asian lady beetle adults begin laying eggs on plants in early spring. Eggs hatch in about three to five days, and larvae begin looking on plants for aphids and other soft-bodied insects to eat. Adults and larvae have the same diet. Larvae molt four times, becoming bigger after each molt, and enter an immovable stage after the last molt.
After several days, the adult beetle ends the the pupal stage. Development time from egg to adult requires about 15-25 days depending on the environment and access to food . Late in the fall, near the time of the frosts, the adult beetles will look for a shelter to spend the winter.
Feeding Preferences
Asian lady beetle feeds on insects.
Transmitted Diseases
The Asian lady beetle does not transmit human diseases.
Habits
Lady beetles are not structure-damaging pests. Lady beetles do not chew or bore holes in walls or eat carpet or furniture. They do not lay their eggs in homes.
The Asian lady beetles are normally attracted to light colors such as whites, grays, yellows. Therefore light-colored houses in tree surrounded areas, might act as a welcome sign for these beetles. The lady beetles enter the walls of a structure through cracks and crevices, but most stay in the wall spaces.
On warmer days of late winter and early spring, an overwintering beetles become active. When looking for an exit, they may enter the home’s living areas. Warmer temperatures or lighting in the living areas normally attract these active beetles.
Structural Pest Ladybug/ Stink BugProgram
David will perform a thorough inspection on both the interior and exterior of your home, finding all the infested areas and identifying which pests you are dealing with. Once identified, David will employ a pest control program that is designed to target the specific pests in your home.
