Bug Identifier
Asian Lady Beetle
Community identification

Asian Lady Beetle

Harmonia axyridis

Order & Family
Order Coleoptera, Family Coccinellidae
Size
5.5 to 8.5 mm in length
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Found in various outdoor habitats including gardens, agricultural fields, and forests; frequently invades homes and buildings during the autumn winter.

Diet & Feeding

Mainly feeds on aphids and other soft-bodied insects like scales and adelgids; adults may also consume pollen and nectar.

Behavior Patterns

Active predators during spring and summer; they are known for their 'overwintering' behavior where thousands of individuals aggregate in light-colored buildings to survive the cold.

Risks & Benefits

Benefits the ecosystem and agriculture by controlling aphid populations; potential risks include being a household nuisance insect, causing minor allergic reactions in some people, and producing a foul-smelling yellow fluid (reflex bleeding) that can stain surfaces.