Ladybird Beetle Pupae
(03/27/2008) 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.
Ladybird Beetle Larva and Pupae
(11/16/2007) 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.
Spotted Lady Beetle
(08/16/2007) 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.
Ladybird Beetle laying eggs, Eggs hatching, and newly
hatched larva eating Aphid
(08/12/2007) Ladybeetles Laying Eggs & Ladybug larve.
I thought these could go on the Bug Love & Carnage page…
or on your ladybird page… I live in Boise, ID,
and my neighbors had a frenzy of ladybug activity on an aphid
infested plum tree. Too cheap to buy ladybugs for my
own yard’s pests, and not wanting to use poison, I captured
about 15 ladybugs and kept them captive in a large glass vase.
I fed them aphid covered leaves from my garden, and the ladybugs
kept mating and mating, laying eggs and more eggs, which hatched
into hungry little larve which went outside on the plants
when they got big enough.
It was fascinating to watch and to nurture these bugs, and
photograph with my new camera that does Super Macro shots.
Here’s where I’ve got some more of these shots stored. http://picasaweb.google.com/EmilyTheChef/BugsMay2007
Carnage… tiny ladybug larve sucking the life out of
of a juicy aphid. Most of the larve were all black,
with tiny specs of red, but a few of them were “blonde”,
like the bottom larve in this picture. They’re
on my finger. I have to put the object directly in front
of the lens, practically touching it, for it to be in focus.
This next one is so cool… varying stages of ladybugs
hatching. ·
Some still yellow goo (may not have ever hatched- I don’t
remember this particular set of eggs, I had probably about
20+ sets)… I read that the larve will eat the
un-hatched eggs to sustain themselves until they’re
big enough to eat bugs. Some still encased in the egg (I knew
the egg bunches would hatch soon because they turned from
yellow to white) and Some actually popping out of the egg.
I couldn’t even see all the detail with my eyes, but
the Super Macro sees very close up! They’re so
tiny when they’re hatched… they look like a speck
of ladybug poop, until they start to move. And where it all
started (well, it really starts with bug love), a Ladybeetle
laying eggs. I felt kind of weird watching their intimate
moments, but it was amazing! Most of the time, theyd
lay in nice neat rows & bunches, sometimes it was willy
nilly. Next year I’ll get some photos
of the pregnant bugs. You can totally tell which ones
are about to lay eggs, because can practically see the yellow
eggs through a thin membrane, and their shell looks like it
doesn’t fit when they’re about to lay their eggs…
Emily Sullivan
 
Hi Emily,
Just for clarification, our Carnage page is reserved for insects
who are killed unnecessarily by humans. Your Aphid eating
Larvae belong on our Food Chain page. Bug Love is for mating
only, and egg laying would go to our Eggs page. Your images
are positively fabulous and the body of your letter should
be a lesson in organic gardening. Thanks for your wonderful
contributions.
Twice Stabbed Ladybird Beetles: feeding on Scale Insects
on Bamboo
(08/01/2007) bamboo bugs
Saw these on a trip to Miami. One looks like some kind of
ladybug.
Robbie
Hi again Robbie,
This is a Twice Stabbed Ladybird Beetle, Chilocorus stigma.
Your wonderful photo shows three stages of its metamorphosis.
From left to right are the adult, the pupa and the spiny larva.
We found a photo on BugGuide,
also from Florida, that shows the Twice Stabbed Ladybird feeding
on Scale Insects that are feeding on bamboo. If you look closely,
you can see the Scale Insects that resemble little bumps on
the bamboo stalk.
Eyespot Ladybird
(07/19/2007) 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).
Ladybird Beetle: Birth defect or normal metamorphosis?????
(07/09/2007) 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.
Two
Spotted Stink Bug Nymph eats Ladybird Beetle Larva
(06/13/2007)
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.
Plant
Pests Mealybug and Scale Insects, and predator Twice Stabbed
Ladybird Beetle Larva
(05/19/2007)
Rather than having to do attachments, if you could just take
a look at my blog
post and let me know what these things are and what I
can do about them, I'd really appreciate it. You're welcome
to copy any of the bug photos if you want to post on your
site. thanks!
nancy
From Nancy's Blog: So what do I do when I
finally get a Saturday off? I get a headache of course! No
really, I planned on being very productive today and getting
a lot done around the house, but I got a headache and feel
like taking it easy. I am getting one thing done. I went out
and photographed some bugs in an attempt to identify what's
killing the hackberry tree in my yard. I think that they're
a mealybug of some sort, but if anyone knows what these are
for sure and how to treat them then please let me know. The
tree is about 25 feet high so I hope there is a solution other
than spraying. Warning: if you really don't like creepy crawly
things then you might want to skip this post. It isn't a photography
post so you won't miss much. I was really interested in all
sorts of creatures when I was little. I'd dig up worms and
scout for interesting bugs. My mom even found me trying to
pull a snake out of his hole once. Unfortunately, I'm not
quite as fearless now, but I still think it's really interesting
what you can find when you just stop and look around. The
culprit eating my tree is small and white, and it seems to
be working its way in from the tips of the branches. It apparently produces
these white cocoon looking things and then moves on to another
spot. The white secretion seems to start around the head so
I'm assuming it isn't an egg sack, but I could be wrong. For
all I know, this could be one bug eating the egg sack of another.
The mobile white bugs themselves aren't as easy to find as
the white aftermath. I'm not sure what this is, but it looks
like it's making its own little white mess. I put it near
one of the larger bugs for comparison.
 |
 |
| Mealybug
and Scale Insect |
Scale
Insect |
While looking for the white bugs, I ran into this little guy
running up and down the branch. When he found one of the brown
scales, he stopped and seemed to be eating it. He was also
interested in the white aftermath. He looks a bit like a caterpillar,
but it is very small and has little legs that it runs on (unlike
a caterpillar). I got a shot of an ant running over him for
size comparison.
 |
 |
| Ladybird
Larva |
Ladybird
Larva |
Hi Nancy,
You have quite an ecosystem thriving on your Hackberry Tree.
The brown insect with the white mass appears to be an hermaphroditic
female Scale Insect in the family Margarodidae. It does not
however look like a Cottony
Cushion Scale as depicted on BugGuide but might be a related
species. Your white insect does appear to be a Mealybug,
another plant pest. Your third insect looked to us like a
Ladybird Beetle Larva, a predator that is probably feeding
on some of the pests. When we checked on BugGuide, the match
is a Twice
Stabbed Ladybird, Chilocorus stigma. BugGuide
has a great image of larva, pupa and adult Twice Stabbed ladybirds
feeding on Scale Insects. We don't give extermination advice.
We would recommend a trip to a good local nursery and NOT
using a broad band pesticide.
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
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). "
Ladybird
Beetle Larva
(05/06/2007) new bee?
Hi Bugman,
I don't like bugs, I think they are scary. So forgive me for
not browsing through previously identified bugs. Last week
I've found this bug as he came crawling out of my keyboard.
I've asked everyone I know, but nobody knows what this could
be. It didn't scare me that much, I think this dude's quite
cool. He looks like an ant wearing a bee costume. I hope you
can help me so I can rest knowing the name of this guy. Thank
you for your reply!
Joy
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Hi Joy,
People are often very surprised to hear that those "Alligator
Bugs" are actually immature Ladybird Beetles, or Ladybugs.
Ladybird Beetle Larva
(04/25/2007) Please id?
Stephen
Hi Stephen,
This is a Ladybird Beetle Larva. Most people don't associate
the fierce but small larva with the popular orange and black
spotted adult Ladybug.
Multi-Colored
Asian Ladybird Beetle
(03/08/2007) Ladybug Pic for your Collection
I haven't been able to ID it. 12 red spots on black background.
Feel free to post it.
Roya
Santa Ana, CA
 
Hi Roya,
We cannot locate a match on BugGuide. We will see if Eric
Eaton has a clue about this Ladybird Beetle.
Very exciting! Heres a head shot to help identify it and in
case i'm mistaken about it being a ladybird.
Roya
Eric Eaton wrote back to us with this information: " Hi,
Daniel: My first thought is that this could simply be one
of the color variants of the multicolored Asian lady beetle,
Harmonia axyridis. I believe there is a chart somewhere out
in the world wide web that shows some of the many variations
for that species. I've contacted my publisher to suggest that
they buy advertising for my book on WTB, if that agrees with
you? You should hear from someone at Houghton Mifflin in the
next week or two.
Eric "
I think this is a Hyperaspis species, and presumably it is
something exotic... I couldn't find the species. The closest
I could get (not very close at all, because it's 10-spot rather
than 12-spot, and yellow spots rather than red ones) was illustration
2 on this page, which shows a Hyperaspis species with a tentative
ID of jocosa.
Susan
Update: (03/10/2007)
Thanks Eric for the correct ID! Wow, I had no idea what a
staggeringly variable species Harmonia axyridis is in terms
of color morphs: it has an unbelievable degree of variation!
Yes, that chart you are talking about does show this red-spotted
12-spot form at: http://web.anglia.ac.uk/appsci//lifesci/lifestaff/harlequin_01.htm
And there is a picture of a somewhat similar Harmonia axyridis
individual which has 12 orange spots at: http://zooex.baikal.ru/beetles/coccinellidae.htm
Susan
Three Banded Lady Beetle
(10/20/2006) three-banded lady beetle
Hi. We live in the Ottawa, ON. area and have noticed that
the majority of the lady beetles we see are of the Asian variety,
so it was really nice to come across this three-banded lady
beetle. Love your site...take care!
Sharon
Hammond, ON
Hi Sharon,
Thank you for sending in your photo of a Three Banded Lady
Beetle, Coccinella trifasciata.
Mating
Multicolored Asian Ladybird Beetles stalked by Ambush Bug!!
(10/07/2006) weird bug
I was taking pictures of the mating ladybugs and did not notice
the strange bug until I downloaded the pictures. What is it?
Located in Dallas, Georgia.
Lee Hooker
Hi Lee,
Nice to hear from you again. We believe your Ladybird Beetles
are Multicolored Asian Ladybird Beetles, Harmonia axyridis,
which are highly variable in coloration. They are being stalked
by an Ambush Bug. The Ambush Bug might soon have a meal. We
are cross referencing your photo on several of our pages,
including Bug Love and Food Chain.
Eye Spotted Ladybird Beetle
(09/30/2006) Some sort of ladybug?
Hi Bugman,
I’ve taken a look through your ladybug page, and was
not able to find a match to the photo I’ve sent you.
I imagine that this is some sort of ladybug. I’ve never
seen a ladybug like this one before…the white on it
is throwing me off. Sorry the photo isn’t very good.
Thanks for any help you can give. I’ll keep looking
through the beetle pages, and maybe I’ll find a match
there.
Yvonne
Barrie, Ontario
Hi Yvonne,
It is nice to hear from you again. This is an Eye Spotted
Ladybird Beetle, Anatis mali.
Ladybird Beetle Larva
(07/20/2006) Ladybugs
Hello Lisa and Daniel:
Maybe you can find this images useful. From the garden of
a friendly couple in San Miguel Beach, Ensenada, México
Antonio Carbajal R.
Hi Antonio,
We frequently get requests to identify the larvae of Ladybird
Beetles.
Correction: NOT a Twice-Stabbed Ladybird Beetle
(07/12/2006) Chilocorus stigma - Twice-stabbed Lady Beetle
Hello favorite bug people!
I took these pics in Kane County, Illinois today. What a freaky
looking little ladybug. I've never seen anything like this
one. I found something similar on your ladybug page (see entry
dated 10/19/2005) but it doesn't quite match up. The one I
found did not appear to have any white patches on it's face.
I also grabbed a shot of it's belly in case this helps with
id'ing. It was about the same size as a typical lady bug,
maybe slightly smaller, but not much. After picking up clues
from your site, I delved into the enormous bugguide.com
and found what appeared to me to be an exact match, The Twice-stabbed
Lady Beetle. What an appropriate name based on her appearance!
As usual, your site, expertise, and hard work are greatly
appreciated.
Sincerely,
Michelle Nash
Lily Lake, IL
Hi Michelle,
We wish we could hire you to help research our site. Thanks
for the photo of the Twice-Stabbed Ladybird Beetle.
Update: (03/10/2007)
Looking at ladybirds on-line, I noticed that the ladybird
which was ID'ed as the Twice-Stabbed ladybird, Chilocorus
stigma, on 07/12/2006, is in fact something different. This
is an introduced Korean ladybird beetle that was used as a
biological control agent in several parts of the USA, and
seems to have spread widely. It's Chilocorus kuwanae, and
this page shows the differences between the two species, as
well as giving a lot more useful information. http://www.nysaes.cornell.edu/ent/biocontrol/predators/chilocorus.html
Susan
Fourteen Spotted Ladybird Beetle
(06/16/2006) Black and Yellow Checkered Ladybug
Hi,
I'm Chris from Quebec. I've found this sort of ladybug a couple
of times in my garden, and was curious what species it is.
Never seen it before, and now I've seen three :). Thanks for
your wonderful site. It's the best place I've found to id
my mysterious bugs!
Take care!
Hi Chris,
This is a Fourteen Spotted Ladybird Beetle, Propylea quatuordecimpunctata.
It is native to Europe but can now be found in Canada and
Northeast U.S. We are happy to now have the species represented
on our site.
Cream Spot Ladybird Beetle from UK
(06/14/2006) Cream-spot Ladybird?
Hello again
After a good morning's insect spotting in the UK in Hertfordshire,
i came across this ladybird which i believe is called a 'cream-spot
ladybird'?
All the best Ben
Hi Ben,
Thanks for sending in the photo of the Cream Spot Ladybird,
Calvia 14-guttata. We actually have done many identification
for our friends across the pond, but they are not organized
by location, and readers need to sift through our taxonically
organized pages to find them. Wood Wasps and Sphinx Moths
are common query subjects.
Ladybird Beetle Larva
(06/08/2006) Stange bugs (can't identify)
Hi Bugman,
Hope your vacation went well. I have these strange bugs that
are dropping from the tree in Portland Oregon area. They are
congregating on the Cable box and on my mailbox. I think they
are from the trees, but I don't know. They are less than 1/2
inch long and they sort of wander in circles. I assume they
are some kind of larvae, but I don't know. None of the guides
seem to help. They do not have antennae, and they look to
have 6 legs. They are also covered in hair? Here are some
pics that should give you a good idea of what they are. Thanks
in advance..
Neal Wolff
Hi Neal,
This is a Ladybird Beetle Larva. We have received several
recent identification requests.
Biological
Warfare: Syrphid Fly Larva and Ladybird versus the Aphids!!!
(04/23/2006) Larva Verification
I returned home last weekend to find my rose bush laden with
aphids. A quick search of my garden located a lady bug which
I then "transplanted" onto a stem of the rose bush.
From the photo it can be identified as a 7 spotted lady bug.
I found a dozen more lady bugs and carried them to the bush
where each remained on top of its own rose stem. Since this
was my first attempt to fight aphids with lady bugs rather
than to zap them with an insecticide, I became more and more
enthralled with watching the daily activities on my rose bush.
Then I noticed "worms" appearing. From what I had
read about lady bugs, the larvae were described as looking
like alligators, but my larvae don't have that appearance.
Is this because they are relatively young and in beginning
stages of being "larvae" or am I looking at something
entirely different. One of the photos shows a larva on a leaf.
The other photo I took to show how the large was wrapped around
the twig. Just as I snapped the photo, an aphid crawled past
and the larva snatched it up and is shown eating it. To make
a long message short, are the two larvae in the photos actually
lady bug larvae? I love your web site!!!! Thank you for your
help
Jean
Republic, Missouri
 |
 |
| Syrphid
Fly Larva |
7
Spot Ladybird |
Hi Jean,
No. Your larvae are not Ladybird Larvae. They are Syrphid
Fly Larvae, and they are a wonderful biological control agent
against Aphids, as are Ladybirds. Lacewings are also marvelous.
If the Aphids ever become too numerous for the predators,
a jet of water from the hose will knock them off the plant
and without a food source, the wingless young will perish.
Thanks for the great letter and the accompanying photos. We
have photos of Ladybird Larvae on our Ladybug page.
Dear (Bugman), Yesterday I went you photos regarding the ladybird
larvae which turned out to be syrphid fly larvae. Thank you
so much for your response and your answer. I think your site
is one of the most helpful I have ever seen.... so personal
and interactive! I am a Master Gardener and webmaster for
the University of Missouri Master Gardener's website for Southwest
Missouri http://www.extension.missouri.edu/greene/mgg/.
I would like your permission to add your site to our link
page. Please let me know if this is feasible.
Jeanne Larsen
Republic, MO
Ladybird Pupa and Adult
(04/01/2006) ladybug stages
I love your sight! As a homeschooling mom, my kids and I frequently
visit What's That Bug to identifiy and classify everything
in our area. Recently, we ran across these bugs on and under
our pecan tree. I think we've identified and photographed
three of the four stages of a ladybug's life. I'm sorry the
larvae is so blurry; that's not the camera but simply user
error on my part. Please let us know if we're right.
Thanks,
Ginger
New Mexico
 
Hi again GInger,
Your identification is correct. We will not post the blurry
larva photo as we have many larval Ladybird images, but Pupa
are a bit rarer in our archive.
Ladybird
Beetle Larva from India
(03/14/2006) Hi Bugman....
First of all.....wonderful site!! Congratulations!! Please
help me id this bug I found in my garden.... Best regards
to your team from INDIA.
Dr. Santosh C G
Dear Dr. Santosh,
This is the larval form of a Ladybird Beetle, commonly known
as a Ladybug. The larvae are known as Aphid Lions.
Convergent Ladybird Beetle Aggregation
(02/27/2006) Lady bug love
Thought you might like this photo...I assume the Lady bugs
(and Guy bugs, too, presumably) aren't just hanging together
for the body warmth. Photo taken near Santa Maria, CA (as
is the prior photo I sent a week ago of what I think might
be a male black widow?). This area is primarily a large coastal-oak
forest where I am. Thanks for the awesome site.
Tom Jolly
Vandenberg AFB, CA
 
Hi Tom,
Thanks for the wonderful Convergent Ladybird Beetle Aggregation
image. According to Hogue, the Convergent Ladybird Beetle,
Hippodamia convergens, "is the species most often seen in
the garden. It is 3/16 to 1/4 inch long and is either solid
red or red with several small black spots .... The Convergent
Lady is the most important ladybird used in the biological
control of aphids. During the late summer and fall, the adult
congregate in great masses in mountain canyons and other cool
protected places. Here they hibernate for up to nine months,
frequently buried beneath the snow, until the first warm spring
days, when they move back to the valleys. While still massed,
they are collected by entrepeneurs, who sell them in nurseries
for release in home gardens. Specimens sometimes accumulate
on beach driftage after having been carried out to sea by
Santa Ana winds and drowned while making their translocation
flights."
Ladybird Beetle Larva
(02/04/2006) orange and black bug
Hi,
We found this pretty little orange and black bug in our house,
and were wondering what it is. It's the only one like it we
have ever seen. If it's already on your site somewhere, I
wasn't able to find it. Thanks!
Kristine
Palm Bay, FL
Hi Kristine,
This is a Ladybug Larva, or more correctly, a Ladybird Beetle
Larva.
Striped
Ladybird Beetle Aggregation and Cohabitation with Cucumber
Beetles
(01/09/2006) Can you help ID?
Looks like a leaf beetle but I can't find out what kind in
any of the books I have. This is a photo of just a few of
them. We want to do some organic farming near by but hopefully
not plant what they want to eat. What are they? What do they
eat? They are in northern California (near Petaluma) in the
many many thousands. Why are they meeting along a flooding
ditch in the winter? Thanks for your help!
Pete
 
Hi Pete,
We don't recognize your beetle, which we believe is either
a Chrysomelid, a Leaf Beetle or our suspicion, a Coccinellid,
one of the Ladybird Beetles. We are waiting for a response
from Eric Eaton.
Eric Eaton's Response: " Believe
it or not, those ARE lady beetles. More specifically, the
striped lady beetle, Ceratomegilla vittigera (this is what
I suspect to be an old name, and one would have to look for
the more current synonym). I was not aware that this was a
species that formed aggregations. We would love to add this
species, and these images, to Bugguide (hint, hint). Eric
" Certain species of Ladybird Beetles form aggregations during
the winter months in preparation for hibernation. We are requesting
your permission to post this to BugGuide if you don't mind.
Eric later added this: " Proper name for the striped lady
beetle is Paranaemia vittigera. Apparently aggegations are
not uncommon. I just didn't know that. Eric "
It is fine to use the photo's as you see fit. I have attached
a close up and another group shot to help confirm the ID.
Also one photo of the bad (from a gardener's viewpoint) company
the keep - diabrotica beetles. I sure hope they are ladybird's.
Pete
 
Hi again Pete,
Thank you for the additional photos. The cohabitation photo
with the Spotted Cucumber Beetle, though blurry, is very interesting.
We will post to BugGuide as well.
Ladybugs
on Seaweed
(01/06/2006) Hi,
Have you any idea why lady bird beetles would congregate on
seaweed at the beach? This is Point Reyes National Seashore,
Marin County, north of San Francisco. Certainly no aphids
on seaweed! Do they eat something else? Also, do these beetles
get their spots in stages and are these all convergent ladybugs
even though they don't all have the regular spot pattern?
Thanks,
Wendy
Hi Wendy,
Ladybird Beetles are often swept out to sea or out onto large
lakes due to wind patterns. They climb aboard whatever "raft"
happens to float by, like seaweed. When the seaweed washes
ashore, the Ladybird Beetles reach dry land and eventually
fly away. There is much individual variation in coloration
within species.
7-Spot
Ladybird Beetle
(11/19/2005) 7-spot ladybird beetle
One of our native ladybird beetles, which we are seeing less
and less with the increased proliferation of the asian multicoloured
ladybeetles.
Nadjia
Hi again Nadjia,
Thank you for your contribution and the poignant reminder
that invasive species are crowding out native species.
Mealybug
Destroyer Larva
(11/18/2005) What seem to be larvae
Thought these were neat looking and wondered if you knew what
they might be. Seen a few of them around our doorstep
Jenna
Hi Jenna,
This is the larva of a type of Ladybird Beetle known as the
Mealybug Destroyer, Cryptolaemus montrouzieri. According to
BugGuide,
it was "Imported to the US from Australia in 1891 to control
citrus mealybugs in California. Widely used for control of
citrus and long-tailed mealybugs, soft scales and related
pests. Will not survive cold winters, so it is mostly used
in greenhouses or mild-winter areas, or has to be introduced
annually."
Black Ladybird
(10/19/2005) ladybug mystery
Could you help me?
I found this black ladybug and I can't identify it. P.S.
I didn't take the picture,I found it, but not the name of
the ladybug.
anonymus.
Hi Anonymous,
Your ladybug goes by the melodramatic name Two-Stabbed Ladybird,
Chilocorus orbus.
Correction: (10/20/2005) from Eric Eaton
"Sorry, forgot to mention the twice-stabbed lady beetle.
That is not what the image is of. It is possibly a melanic
(black) version of the two-spotted lady beetle, Adalia bipunctata.
Not uncommon in Europe, don't know about here in the states.
Other possibility is the black form of the ashy gray lady
beetle, Olla v-nigrum. Could be something else entirely,
but those two are at the top of the suspect list, and in that
order. The white markings on the pronotum (top of the thorax)
say that it is NOT Chilocorus. Chilocorus species all have
a solid black pronotum. "
Mating
Ladybirds at the Nixon Library!!!
(07/29/2005) Great web site
;Bugman,
thanks for your help on my recent submissions. Your web site
is great. I've been photographing crawling critters for a
few years and it's nice to have a place to identify these
little marvels. I'm sending you a few more that you can use
on your site if you'd like. I photographed the Ladybugs at
the Richard Nixon Library in Yorba Linda Ca. The Millipede
came from Heber Springs, Arkansas. The Female American Dog
Tic, hitch-hiked on me while on a trail in Anaheim Ca.
Thanks again
Rus
Hi Rus,
We were slightly amused that you photographed an insect with
the same name as a former President's wife at the library
of another President. Planting trees and shrubs will attract
insects. Your mating Ladybird Beetles are stunning.
Metamorphosis
of a Squash Ladybird Beetle
(07/17/2005) mystery solved! before and after photos...
These are all over my squash plant in North Carolina!
Joann
 
Hi Joann,
We weren't really familiar with the larvae of the Squash Ladybird
Beetle, Epilachna borealis, but thanks to your photos, now
we are. Most Ladybird Beetles are predatory, but this particular
species feeds on the leaves of squash and pumpkin plants in
both larval and adult form.
Ash Gray Ladybird Beetle(07/17/2005)
We were working in the garden today when we spotted this Ash
Gray Ladybird Beetle, Olla v-nigrum (formerly Olla abdominalis)
searching for aphids on the peach tree. We rarely see this
species and hope that it is becoming established in our yard.
WE also hope to see the other color variation, black with
two pale yellow spots.
 
Ladybird
Beetle Larva
(07/04/2005) just discovered in my yard...
what kind of bug is this and how do I get rid of it? I've
never seen it on plants in my yard before but have just put
in Linden trees from a nursery. Could it have come from there?
Debbie
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Call Off the Exterminators Debbie,
These are Immature Ladybugs, more correctly Ladybird Beetles,
and they will eat harmful aphids and other soft bodied pests
in your garden.
Beetle
Urges
(07/03/2005) Ladybug mating pics
Hi,
I got carried away & sifted through all my bug pictures
since I got my digital camera & tidied up the best ones
for you. I'll send them in bunches, trying not to make any
one email huge. Use whatever ones you like, however you like
on your site.
Love, Marian
 
Hi Marian,
Your mating Ladybird Beetles are a nice addition to our site.
Thanks much
Ladybird
Beetle Larva
(05/30/2005) weird bug
Hi - I've seen another interesting bug. It was
crawling across my porch. it's not the first time I've seen
its kind, and have always wondered what it is. Thanks!!
Michelle
Hi Michelle,
The wonders of metamorphosis never cease to amaze. Most everyone
can identify a Ladybug, more accurately a Ladybird Beetle,
but few people recognize the larval form. That is what you
have photographed. They have ravenous appetites and devour
huge quantities of Aphids. The Larval Ladybird Beetles are
often found in tall grass and they are very mobile.
Ladybird
Beetle Larva
(04/03/2005) What is this bug??
Hi Bugman,
We have had lots of these little critters in our den lately
- and my husband and I have NEVER seen these before- we live
in a wooded area in Southern California w/ lots of Eucalyptus
trees. We find a few a day lately- and are so curious as to
what they are and what they do and where they come from and
how we can get rid of them! HELP! Thanks mucho!
Warm regards,
Jody Tsouo
 
Hi Jody,
Our first thought was perhaps you had some type of beetle
larva, but we checked with Eric Eaton who thought that it
might be one of the Rove Beetles. Your photo is a little unclear
and the fact that you shot through plastic didn't help.
Thanks for getting back to me- and yes, they do seem to be
in somewhat of a larvae stage- when they move, their whole
bodies shorten and extend, almost like a lizard or snake. I've
been obsessed w/ them wondering what they are, and have been
watching them quite closely :) I did a search online of rove
beetles, and the ones we have look nothing like any rove beetle
listed on this site. They don't move fast at all either-
and they tend to "Cling" when you try to grab them. I am
having a pest person come over in a little bit to try and
identify them- their 6 legs are in the upper quadrant of their
body- and when I tried to grab one yesterday, this yellow
fluid came out- wasn't sure if it was waste, or trying to
defend itself. It was bright yellow though. I'll let you
know what they say- he said if he couldn't ID it, he'd send
some up to the Cal Agro people... I can try and take some
better shots if you want.
Warm regards,
Jody Tsouo
Hi again, Just found out that they may be lady bug larvae-
since the pest guy wasn't 100% sure, he's sending them to
the California Agro people to see what they say- the funny
thing is we have seen a few lady bugs around lately- and just
thought they were good luck! He did find a few dead lady
bugs that were tan in color, and hadn't fully developed to
their red color yet.
Warm regards,
Jody Tsouo
Let us know what the California Agro people have to say
Jody. Eric Eaton also agrees. He wrote back: "Ah-HA! The
lady beetle larvae answer seems much better, though I would
have expected some red markings somewhere...."
Immature
Lady Bird Beetle
(10/08/2004) On the rosebush
Hi,
We found this little guy on the rosebush as we were cleaning
off aphids. S/he is about 1/4 inch long. Have
not seen one like it, so was curious to know what it might
be.
Thanks in advance,
Eric Bergsten
Hi Eric,
I hope your immature Lady Bird Beetle or Ladybug did not come
to an untimely end. The larvae are ravenous aphid eaters,
and unlike the adults, do not fly away. Your specimen is Harmonia
axyridis, the Multicolored Asian lady beetle.
Coleomegilla
fuscilabris
(08/29/2004) What's this I'm stumped...not quite a lady bug...
the head is wrong. Any ideas. Thanks,s
Suzanne
Dear Suzanne,
You do in fact have a member of the Ladybird Beetle Family
Coccinellidae. Your specimen is Coleomegilla fuscilabris.
The species, which ranges from light yellow to reddish-orange
with black markings. It is common on foilage.
(04/24/2004) Newly Emerged Ladybird
We
just photographed this yellow ladybird beetle which just emerged
from the pupa. By the next day, it had turned orange with
black spots.
(03/03/2004) Are these Ladybugs?
Your site is very cool. I have a question for you. We have
had some lady bugs living inside our home during the winter
months for several years and we were not bothered by them,
in fact, we thought them to be kind of cute. However, its
seems that a new species of lady bug has arrived and these
are different than the ones we are used to. The ways they
are different: 1) more light orange in color. 2) they smell
and stain if smashed. 3.) They appear to have a slightly different
shaped head than the red lady bugs. 4.) They have been aggressive
and even BITE. Are these lady bugs at all or some other beetle?
(If they are not lady bugs- where did they originate? When
did they arrive here in Pennsylvania and- Are they able to
reproduce with ladybugs? Are they in competition with them?
Will they overtake the niche of our regular lady bugs?) Thanks
for your answers!!!
Lori
Dear Lori,
We have information on the Asian Ladybird Beetle, (Harmonia
axyridis) which can become a "nuisance when large numbers
begin crawling on windows, walls, light fixtures, and other
indoor surfaces. When disturbed, they also secrete a foul-smelling
orange-colored fluid that can spot and stain walls, carpeting,
and other surfaces....
Because the Asian lady beetle is a tree-dwelling insect, homes
and buildings in forested areas are especially prone to infestation.
Suburban and landscaped industrial settings adjacent to wooded
areas have also had large lady beetle aggregations. Once the
beetles land on the sunny side of the building, they attempt
to locate cracks and other dark openings for hibernation sites.
These locations may ultimately be on any side of the structure.
Common overwintering sites include cracks and crevices around
window and door frames, porches, garages and outbuildings,
beneath exterior siding and roof shingles, and within wall
voids, attics, and soffits. Structures in poor repair or with
many cracks and openings are especially vulnerable to problems."
Large aggregations began to be reported from your area beginning
aroung 1993. They will not breed with our native Lady Bird
Beetles and there is a good chance they are in competition
with them.
(01/08/2004)
ok anyone out there know how to get rid of the lady bugs in
ky? we have tried everything house is tight but they are still
getting in. a person could make a million dollars with a great
answer. i dont have a million but bet ya people would buy
the idea if it works.we have tried chemicals, herbs, etc.
but there still here. anyone? thanks........ cindy
Hi Cindy,
I can't tell you how to keep them out, but I can tell you
how to get them out. Because they release a staining substance
when trying to remove them, a light touch is necessary. How
about the vacuum cleaner. Just vacuum them away.
(12/07/2003)
What's are these bugs? All were found on Fort Bragg, NC
My daughter and I are creating a site
where we are doing an online bug collection. I
have tried many sources to identify these bugs to no avail.
Do you know what any of these are?
Lynette
Hi
Lynette,
Congratulations on your site. This is the pupa of a Ladybird
Beetle, commonly known as a Ladybug, though they are really
beetles. There is an interesting theory about the meaning
of the children's song, according to Lutz. He writes "Many
of us have quoted: 'Lady-bird, lady-bird! Fly away home.
Your house is on fire. Your children do roam.' Some of us
add: 'Except little Nan, who sits in a pan weaving gold
laces as fast as she can.' What is it all about? Many Lady-bird
(Coccinellid) larva eat Aphids and this rhyme started in
the Old country, where they burn the hop vines after the
harvests. These vines are usually full of aphids and coccinellid
'children.' A Nan who can not roam but sits in a pan weaving
gold laces is ... a yellow pupa." (ed note: your pupa is
of the black and red variety) "Why 'Lady-bird' or 'Lady
Beetles?'" continues Lutz, "That goes back still
further to the Middle Ages when these beneficial insects
were dedicated to the virgin and were the 'Beetles of Our
Lady.'"
(8/13/2003)
Dear bug man,
I was wondering if you could help me out and identify this
bug. It fell out of a tree, landed on my boss's face and stung
him. I have attached a photo of the offender. The bug is about
1⁄4 of an inch in length. It is black with an orange
U on its back; it has six legs and a very small head. Its
abdomen is slightly flattened. Also, it has some very spikey
hairs on its back- not very long but they remind me of the
hairs on a caterpillar. Any help would be appreciated
Thanks,
Amanda
Dear Amanda,
You are probably going to find this hard to believe, but that
was a young ladybug that landed on your boss' face. While
it is doubtful that it mistook your boss for an aphid, you
must remember that both adult and larval forms of ladybugs
are voracious hunters, and perhaps your specimen was just
hungry. They don't sting, but they could bite.
3/7/02
Daniel,
We just bought an old
house and in the basement and on the lower outside walls
of the house we have an infestation (I mean millions) of
black bugs with thin, neatly drawn orange lines outlining
their backs/wings. Thee bugs have narrow bodies, are about
3/4 of an inch long, and have long antennae. They fly occasionally,
but mostly just crawl around, and they sit in large clusters--they
pile right on top of each other. Strangely, we also have
lots of lady bugs mixing in with them. I live in southern
York county, PA (on the PA/MD line) and we have had an unusually
warm winter.
Any idea what the black bugs
are, why they and the lady
bugs are here, whether they are doing damage and what I
can
do to get rid of them and prevent them from returning?
Many, many thanks.
Tricia
Does this look familiar? |
Dear
Tricia,
Ladybugs are famous for communal
hibernation, generally in mountainous areas. In recent years
though, throughout the Eastern states, they have begun to
invade homes. My internet search turned up this quote from
the site http://www.uky.edu :
"People first started reporting
large aggregations of lady beetles (ladybugs) on homes and
buildings in Kentucky during the fall of 1993. Ladybugs
are normally considered beneficial insects because they
feed outdoors on aphids and other harmful plant pests. However,
these beetles are congregating on the sides of buildings,
and if given the opportunity, moving
inside. Lady beetles do not sting or carry diseases, nor
do they infest food, clothing, or wood. Nonetheless, this
particular species (Harmonia axyridis) can become a nuisance
when large numbers begin crawling on windows, walls, light
fixtures, and other indoor surfaces. When disturbed, they
also secrete a foul-smelling orange-colored fluid that can
spot and stain walls, carpeting, and other surfaces....
Because the Asian lady beetle is
a tree-dwelling insect, homes and buildings in forested
areas are especially prone to infestation. Suburban and
landscaped industrial settings adjacent to wooded areas
have also had large lady beetle aggregations. Once the beetles
land on the sunny side of the
building, they attempt to locate cracks and other dark openings
for hibernation sites. These locations may ultimately be
on any side of the structure. Common overwintering sites
include cracks and crevices around window and door frames,
porches, garages and outbuildings, beneath exterior siding
and roof shingles, and within wall voids, attics, and soffits.
Structures in poor repair or with many cracks and openings
are especially vulnerable to problems."
The site goes on to recomment removing the ladybugs with
a vacuum cleaner. Your other insect is most probably a box
elder bug (Leptocoris trivittatus).
On http://www.pma.edmonton.ab.ca
it says, "When present in large enough numbers Box
Elder Bugs can do damage to Manitoba Maple trees. Most people
call us in the fall because they are curious about the large
numbers on the walls of their houses or concerned about
the numbers that are getting in the houses. Washing them
off the walls of the house with a blast of cold water from
a hose may help. The only way to ensure that they do not
get inside the house is to fill in all
cracks where they could be getting in, a rather daunting
and expensive task."
Though each of these insects is
known to form communes, I have never heard of them bedding
down together, but they're not the strangest bedfellows
I've encountered by far.
daniel, you are my hero. Many thanks for your
help. We're promptly getting out the hose and
starting to fill in cracks--and I'm sleeping much better
knowing that neither bug is eating my house into sawdust. What
a valuable service you perform for those of us who are bug-clueless!
Many thanks again.
tricia
|
