
Community identification
Harmonia axyridis larva (Multicolored Asian Lady Beetle larva)
Harmonia axyridis
- Order & Family
- Order: Coleoptera; Family: Coccinellidae
- Size
- 8 to 11 mm in length when fully grown.
Natural Habitat
Found globally in gardens, forests, and agricultural fields, typically on plants infested with aphids.
Diet & Feeding
Primarily carnivorous; they consume large quantities of aphids, mites, scale insects, and other soft-bodied garden pests.
Behavior Patterns
Larvae are active hunters that crawl along stems and leaves. They undergo four larval instars before pupating on a leaf surface to transform into adult beetles.
Risks & Benefits
Highly beneficial to the ecosystem and gardens as a natural pest control agent. They pose no risk to humans, though they can occasionally give a harmless nip if handled.