Bug Identifier
Multicolored Asian Lady Beetle Larva
Community identification

Multicolored Asian Lady Beetle Larva

Harmonia axyridis

Order & Family
Order Coleoptera, Family Coccinellidae
Size
Approximately 7 to 10 mm in length
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

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.