
Community identification
Multicolored Asian Lady Beetle Larva
Harmonia axyridis
- Order & Family
- Order Coleoptera, Family Coccinellidae
- Size
- Approximately 7 to 10 mm in length
Natural Habitat
Found on various plants, crops, trees, and shrubs where aphid populations are present; often found in gardens and agricultural fields.
Diet & Feeding
Voracious carnivore; primarily eats aphids, but also consumes scale insects, mites, and the eggs/larvae of other insects.
Behavior Patterns
Active during the day, crawling along foliage to hunt. The larval stage lasts about 1 to 2 weeks through four instars before pupating into an adult beetle.
Risks & Benefits
Highly beneficial to the ecosystem and gardeners as a natural pest control for aphids. However, as adults, they can become a nuisance by overwintering inside homes and may occasionally nip or cause minor allergic reactions in humans.