
Community identification
Asian Lady Beetle
Harmonia axyridis
- Order & Family
- Order Coleoptera, Family Coccinellidae
- Size
- 5.5 to 8.5 mm in length
Natural Habitat
Agricultural fields, orchards, gardens, and urban settings; often seeks shelter in homes during cold months.
Diet & Feeding
Predatory feeding on aphids, scale insects, and other soft-bodied agricultural pests.
Behavior Patterns
Diurnal insects that undergo complete metamorphosis; notable for congregating in large numbers on buildings during autumn to overwinter.
Risks & Benefits
Highly beneficial for biological pest control in agriculture, but can be a nuisance pest in homes where they may bite and emit a foul-smelling yellow fluid (reflex bleeding) that stains surfaces.