Multicolored Asian Lady Beetles (and some others we have in Maine)

a Multicolored Asian Lady Beetle (Ladybug) on a windowsillThe Multicolored Asian Lady Beetle* (Harmonia axyridis), is a common ladybug that can become a household nuisance each fall in cold climates–in New England, for example–when adults begin seeking out warm locations to spend the winter.  It is inherently a beneficial insect, and one which has frequently been deliberately released in the U.S. (beginning as long ago as 1916) for the purpose of controlling harmful plant pests such as aphids, mites, scale insects, etc.  They can pose a legitimate nuisance, though, when confronted with large numbers of them indoors, and their secretions can stain furniture, curtains, blankets, rugs, etc.  They do not breed, lay eggs, or feed inside the home, however, and they are not structurally-damaging.

As the name suggests, the Multicolored Asian lady beetle exhibits a great many color forms.  However, outside its native area of eastern Asia, one finds them primarily showing only one of three basic color types: red or orange with black spots, black with four red spots, and black with two red spots.  The form with anywhere from zero to 19 spots–known as the succinea form—is the most common form that we have here in Maine.  They have reddish-brown legs and are noticeably brown on the underside of the abdomen.

Three similar species are the Seven-spotted Lady Beetle (Coccinella septempunctata) whose wing covers are spotted in a 1-4-2 pattern, the Two-spotted Lady Beetle (Adalia bipunctata) with orange wing coverings and just a single black spot apiece, and the Convergent Lady Beetle (Hippodamia convergens), which has 13 spots at most and white lines that ‘converge’ behind the head. The Twice-stabbed Lady Beetle (Chilocorus stigma), is found in most of the US and Canada and is very aptly named by virtue of its pair of blood-red spots it possesses on its back (see photo below).

Additional Information and Photos:

*The Multicolored Asian lady beetle goes by a long list of other names as well: Multivariate Lady Beetle, Southern Lady Beetle, Japanese Lady Beetle, Asian Lady Beetle, Halloween Lady Beetle [so named because the adults begin moving indoors typically in October], Harlequin Ladybird Beetle, Pumpkin Ladybird Beetle, and Pumpkin Ladybug.