Asian Lady Beetle

Found in forests, fields, gardens, and increasingly common in urban habitats and residential homes during colder months.

Primarily predatory, feeding on aphids, scale insects, and other soft-bodied crop pests; occasionally feeds on ripening fruit.

Active during the day; notable for congregating in large numbers on sunny, south-facing walls in autumn to seek warmth and overwinter indoors.

Benefits the ecosystem by controlling agricultural pests; however, they can be a nuisance when infesting homes, may bite if handled, and can cause allergic reactions or leave yellow-staining chemical secretions (reflex bleeding) when threatened.