Please identify yellow bug with black hairs
Fri, Jun 26, 2009 at 1:20 PM
I have looked all over the internet and cannot find a name or description for this bug. I know someone out there knows what it is. This is a small yellow-bodied beetle-like bug with six legs and lots of single straight black hairs all over its back. I found this and several others eating holes in my zucchini leaves. I assume since it is eating holes that it is not a “good” bug to keep around. But I have never seen one of these before. I appreciate any help you can give.
Jessica Moore
Charlotte, NC
Squash Lady Beetle Larva
Hi Jessica,
We were certain you had a beetle larva, but we thought it must be a Leaf Beetle Larva. By searching for squash beetle with a search engine, we quickly identified your Squash Lady Beetle Larva on BugGuide. Most Lady Beetles are beneficial predators, but the Squash Lady Beetle, Epilachna borealis, is one of the few species that feeds on plants. According to BugGuide: “The insect and its spiny larvae eat the leaves of squash, cantaloupe, and other cucurbits. An unusual characteristic of this insect is that it circles the leaf area in which it is going to feed. “
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Posted 29 June 2009
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Bug Link Suggestion
Fri, May 29, 2009 at 9:10 PM
Hi WTB,
Your site is an invaluable resource to us here at Everything Ladybug. We hope you will take a look at our site and consider it for your bug links section.
regards,
Kevin and Angie Hale
http://www.everything-ladybug.com/
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Posted 31 May 2009
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Bug Found on our Milkweed
Sun, May 24, 2009 at 8:32 AM
Found this bug on our milkweed plants. We had Monarch eggs and caterpillars but now there are none. Is this a bug we should suspect has hurt our Monarch eggs and caterpillars? What is this bug?
Ira in Texas
San Antonio, Texas
Ladybird Larva
Dear Ira,
This is the larva of a Ladybird Beetle or Lady Bug. The presence of this larva indicates that there are probably Aphids on your milkweed. The Ladybird Larva will eat Aphids, but it will not bother the Monarch Caterpillars. You must have another culprit.
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Posted 24 May 2009
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Ladybug with 12 white spots?
Mon, Apr 13, 2009 at 2:27 AM
Hi
I found this in my house.
Can you tell me what kind of bug it is?
Kind regards
Vamdrup, Denmark
Cream Spot Ladybird
Dear Reader,
Though your letter specifies 12 spots, we believe this is a Cream Spot Ladybird, Calvia quatuordecimguttata, which is reported to have 14 spots. We count 14 spots including the two on the pronotum. It is a common European species according to Ladybirds of Western Europe website. We also located a pdf that has images of European Ladybirds: ladybird-descriptiona22d8d.
Cream Spot Ladybird
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Posted 13 April 2009
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Twice-stabbed Ladybug?
Wed, Nov 19, 2008 at 10:21 AM
I believe this is a twice-stabbed ladybug. I did not see a photo on your ladybug page of this species. It was photographed in southern Utah.
Mieander
Southern Utah
Ladybird Beetle
Hi Mieander,
While it is possible that this is a Twice-Stabbed Ladybird Beetle, Chilocorus stigma , there is another species in the genus that is found in your area that has larger spots. According to BugGuide, Chilocorus cacti, is found in Arizona and New Mexico, but it looks like a better match. The species is associated with Prickly Pear cactus.
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Posted 20 November 2008
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What’s this beetle?
Sat, Nov 8, 2008 at 3:58 PM
Unusual beetle found in our home. See attached photo.
Curious.
Mckinleyville, Humboldt County, California.
Unknown Ladybird
Hi Curious,
This is a Ladybird Beetle, and we thought it might be the dark form of the Ashy Gray Ladybird Beetle, Olla v-nigrum, but we no longer think that. There are other similarly marked Ladybirds. You can read more about the Ashy Gray Ladybird on BugGuide. Perhaps a reader can correctly identify this species.
The lady beetle is a remarkable variation of the multicolored Asian lady beetle, Harmonia axyridis. They just seem to have endless patterns….
Eric
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Posted 09 November 2008
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bi-colored Multicoloerd Asian Lady Beetle
Wed, Oct 29, 2008 at 10:22 AM
Before you redesigned your site there was an image from somebody in Florida of a two-tone Multicolored Asian Lady Beetle. By two-toned i mean one side being red and the other was orange. I was not able to relocate that image since your redesign. Do you remember the image? I found one and uploaded it to BugGuide. I included a link to your image as proof that they do exist to help dispel the notion that my image may have been photoshopped.
Here is my image on BugGuide .
http://bugguide.net/node/view/160448 or copy and paste is html isn’t enabled
Ron M.
Kenner, Louisiana
Bicolored Multicolored Asian Lady Beetle
Hi Ron,
We are quite certain that many submissions vanished during our site migration, and we appreciate you bringing this unusual submission to our attention. We had to go to our old Dreamweaver version to locate it, but it has been returned to our Ladybird Beetle category. Thanks for sending your photo as well.
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Posted 30 October 2008
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Found a cool looking insect
Mon, Oct 13, 2008 at 4:50 AM
This insect has 6 legs which are yellow in color. It is long compared to how wide it is. It is probably about a cm long or so and a quarter of that wide. The head and neck of it is blue as well as the tail on it. But the very center of it is a very bright yellow with blue in the center and then yellow and blue spikes. Up close the bug looks very hairy but i am not so sure. I found him on a 4×4 post on my fence line, it caught me off guard because of its amazing bright colors. Sorry i cant get a picture right now but i did draw a somewhat childish painting and is attached to image 1. Thank You
Dan Dan the bugman
North America, Michigan
Drawing of a Ladybird Larva
Hi Dan Dan the bugman,
In our ongoing efforts to distinguish ourselves from the plethora of more scientific insect websites in existance by trying to have a more pop culture appeal, we love getting letters like yours with drawings. We believe you have found an immature Ladybird Beetle, or Lady Bug. We have also had them described as looking like alligators. We find your amusing drawing to be a refreshing change from the many anatomically correct insect drawings found in texts.
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Posted 13 October 2008
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“Black Ops” Ladybugs in SW Florida
Dear Bugman,
I just love your site– it always inspires me to garden with the camera within easy reach. Yesterday morning I saw this gorgeous black ladybug on my chenille plant. I thought it might be the Twice-Stabbed Ladybug, except that its red spots are up by the head and not on the back. We have nicknamed them “Black Ops” here at my house. The chenille is in full bloom and full of ladybug larva, so I hope to have a bumper crop of these little beauties. Best regards,
Nik
Fort Myers, Florida
Axion tripustulata
We quickly located your Black Ladybird Beetle on BugGuide. It appears to be Axion tripustulata, which sadly does not have a common name, nor is there any other information posted about the species.
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Posted 18 September 2008
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Lady Beetle? (Anna, TX)
Location: Anna TX
Hello, and greetings from North Texas,
I seem to have cucumber plants infested with what I am hoping are lady beetles. These are not the usual round little tanks I remember from growing up, but are a bit longer. The cucumber plant is extremely healthy, as are the nearby dill and basil. That is the main reason I’m thinking they are lady beetles. If nothing else, I seem to have a "pink" one. And a really good photo of the red one.
I guess I’m looking for confirmation that these are definitely lady beetles.
Angi
Hi Angi,
These are indeed Spotted Lady Beetles, Coleomegilla maculata.
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Posted 02 August 2008
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What kind of ladybug
Is this an Ash Gray, it’s spots are creamy brown not black? Thanks
Amber
Tn
Hi Amber from Tennessee,
This is a Fifteen Spotted Ladybird, Anatis labiculata. BugGuide illustrates two different color variations on this species.
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Posted 04 June 2008
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Here’s a ladybird?? I found today
I’m so curious …I had never seen this bug in my garden before and I am assuming it’s a ladybird of some sort. I just released a couple of cartons of ladybirds about 2 weeks ago in my garden but none looked like this. Thanks in advance for taking a peek at this one
Sandra
hi Sandra,
This greatly resembles a photo we found on BugGuide listed as an “unusual colour form” of Adalia bipunctata, the Two Spotted Ladybird Beetle.
Correction: (05/11/2008)
Hi, Daniel:
A couple quick corrections to recent postings, if I may: … The “Two-spotted ladybird beetle: unusual color form” is actually a “pine lady beetle” in the genus Mulsantia. M. picta is the common species, but this may be a different one. Otherwise, spot on as usual:-) Keep up the great work! Cheers,
Eric
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Posted 09 May 2008
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Is this eating my squash?
The squash in my garden were not looking too good, then I discovered a orange and black spotted bugs that looked kind of like Ladybirds. I told one of the ladies at the nursery about my squash getting eaten and about the orange and black spotted bug, and she confirmed they were Ladybugs and not to put insecticide on the plants but let the good bugs do the work. HA!! Now whatever is eating my squash was going to get it. However my squash keep looking worse and worse even with the appearance of more and more Ladybird Bugs. I find these bugs on healthy leaves, then check back a few hours later and the leaves are all torn up. Could they be what is eating my squash!?! Are these wolves in sheep’s clothing?!? HELP!!!
Bard Letsinger
Victoria,Texas (110 miles south of Houston along the coast)
Hi Bard,
You are correct, this is a Squash Ladybird Beetle, Epilachna borealis. This species and its close relative, the Mexican Bean Beetle, Epilachna varivestis, are rarities among the Ladybird Beetles which are otherwise carniverous. You can view other images of BugGuide, which indicates the range of this species as “Scattered distribution over the eastern half of th U.S. south of Massachusetts.”
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Posted 20 April 2008
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Bugs found in the hills of Pasadena
Hi there- I found these bugs in the hills overlooking Pasadena- they look tick-like, but are they? These specimens are either dead or dormant. there was one live one that flipped its body up and down while clinging to a grass blade. I teach a science class to 4th grade kids and they want to know what kind of bugs they are- any ideas? thanks in advance,
Ed
Hi Ed,
These are the Pupae of Ladybird Beetles, or in slang, Ladybugs. Sorry we do not know the species.
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Posted 27 March 2008
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what are these bugs?
Hello,
I found these bugs on a beech tree, near a lake in Westchester County, about 1 hour north of Manhattan. A lake is nearby, some bugs were burrowed into the bark. What are they? Thanks
Irene
Hi Irene,
This is a Ladybird Beetle Larva and several Pupae. “Ladybugs” are beneficial insects that feed on Aphids, Scale and other injurious plant pests.
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Posted 16 November 2007
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mystery beetle
Dear Bugman,
I looked at every beetle page and did not find this one. It is a longer, blunt oval….not a roundish oval like a ladybug; but it is about the size of a ladybug. It was on the stem of a pickerel weed in a pond. I could not get closer or a different angle as I was hanging out of my boat with my camera arm stretched into the clump of water plants. Photographed August 15, in a small lake in northeast CT. I couldn’t see with my eyes what it was doing very well…seemed busy at that spot though. Thank you for your help, and thank you for years of pleasure just cruising the photos and reading the comments. I have found almost every insect I looked for on your site…or at least found a clue to family.
Emma
Hi Emma,
Thanks for the compliment. Since most Ladybird Beetles are characterized by spots, we are very curious what has earned Coleomegilla maculata the singular distinction of the common name Spotted Lady Beetle, at least according to BugGuide.
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Posted 16 August 2007
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unusal ladybug
Dear Bugman:
I know your swamped right now, but I could really use your help. I found a unique lady bird beetle in my backyard which I need to identify. Entomology is a hobby for me and I’m very interested in being able to positively identify this insect. The pronotum has the "M" marking so I thought that it may be an Asian Ladybug – but I’m not sure. I really appreciate any help you could give identifying this insect. Photos of the insect are attached. Respectfully,
Sarah Vitale
Hi Sarah,
Your lovely specimen is an Eyespot Ladybird, Anatis mali, a native species in North America (though you did not provide us with a location).
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Posted 19 July 2007
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deformed ladybug?
Is this a ladybug? If so, what’s wrong? I thought it might still be in morphing process.
Lee Hooker
Dallas, GA
Hi again Lee,
We are not sure if this is part of normal metamorphosis or not. Perhaps the Ladybird has just emerged from the pupa and the wing elytra have not fully expanded and hardened. It is also possible that this is a birth defect brought on by trauma or genetics due to global warming or rampant pesticide use. We favor the metamorphosis hypothesis.
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Posted 09 July 2007
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Two-Toned Multicolored Asian Ladybird
(05/08/2007) identify
Hi there, we just returned form a family vacation to Orlando, FL. While at Disney World, this little lady (or fellow) landed on my daughter. The odd thing is I have not seen a ladybird beetle with this very odd coloration.while I am adept at photoshop, I assure you this is how this critter looked!!!! 1/3 orange, 1/3 golden and 1/3 cream. There were no photos on your site that I could find showing this coloration, so thought I’d see what you had to say. Perhaps it’s completely common, but I’ve not seen one like it before. Thanks!
Tara
Photographer/Mixed Media Artist
Bicolored Multicolored Asian Ladybird Beetle
Hi Tara,
Thank you for confessing to your knowledge of Photoshop. This bicoloration is unusual. This is a Multicolored Asian Ladybird, Harmonia axyridis. It is the species responsible for huge aggregations entering peoples’ homes in the eastern U.S. We have located a wonderful table of color variations on a British website that also calls it the Harlequin Ladybird or Halloween Ladybird. BugGuide also has many photos of this species, but none like yours. BugGuide indicates that “The only consistent marking is a strip of color along the edge of the pronotum (between the head and the wings) but the color of that strip can vary from white to red. In the east, the pronotum is usually white with four black spots, which range from small spots to large patches that may blend together to look like a black M (or W). ”
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Posted 08 May 2007
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Bug Identification Please
Hi,
The following photo was taken a few days ago, in Northern Virginia, on a grapevine. The insect on the right appears to be a ladybug larvae. The unknown insect on the left was feeding on the larvae.
Thanks,
John
Hi John,
The unknown insect below (we rotated your image to conform to the aesthetics of our site) is an immature Two Spotted Stink Bug, Perillus bioculatus. BugGuide has a photo that shows more black on the nymph, but this species has some degree of variability. The Two Spotted Stink Bug is an important predator of the Colorado Potato Beetle, but sadly, in your example, it has eaten another predator, a Ladybird Beetle Larva. We have gotten numerous recent identification requests for the Ladybird Larvae, but the photos have been blurry. It is nice to be able to post your crisp and dramatic image.
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