Bug Identifier
Pink-spotted Lady Beetle
Community identification

Pink-spotted Lady Beetle

Coleomegilla maculata

Order & Family
Order: Coleoptera; Family: Coccinellidae
Size
5 to 6 mm in length
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Found in agricultural fields, gardens, and grassy areas across North and South America.

Diet & Feeding

Omnivorous; feeds on aphids, mites, and insect eggs, but notably consumes up to 50% pollen (especially from corn, dandelion, and clover).

Behavior Patterns

Active during the day; adults overwinter in large aggregations under leaf litter or stones to survive cold temperatures.

Risks & Benefits

Highly beneficial to the ecosystem and agriculture as a natural predator of many crop pests; poses no significant risk to humans.