Asian Lady Beetle (Harmonia axyridis) — identification, habitat & look-alikes

Asian lady beetles are aphid-eating beetles native to eastern Asia and now widespread in the United States. Their wing covers can be yellow, orange, red, or black, with many spots or none. In fall, adults often gather on buildings and enter them to spend the winter.

Appearance

Appearance: Adults are about 1/3 in (8 mm) long and oval. They may be yellow, orange, red, or rarely black, with zero to about 19 visible spots; many have a black M-shaped mark on the pale area behind the head.

Look-alikes

seven-spotted lady beetleCoccinella septempunctata

The seven-spotted lady beetle has exactly seven black spots on red wing covers. Asian lady beetles vary from no spots to many and often show a black M-shaped mark on the pale area behind the head.

Why they get mixed upBoth are similarly sized red-and-black aphid predators found in U.S. gardens and fields.

convergent lady beetleHippodamia convergens

The convergent lady beetle has two white lines that angle toward each other behind the head. Asian lady beetles often have a dark M-shaped mark on a pale patch there.

Why they get mixed upBoth can have red or orange wing covers with black spots in U.S. gardens.

Common U.S. lady beetles

	Wing cover spots	Quick clue
Asian lady beetle	none to many	often a dark M behind head
seven-spotted lady beetle	seven black spots	red wing covers
convergent lady beetle	variable	two converging white lines

Where it lives

Typical habitats: gardens
crop fields
landscape trees
buildings in fall
Range: Native to eastern Asia, this species is now widespread in the United States after intentional releases and accidental introductions. It is common around trees, crops, and gardens where aphids are abundant.
Preferred conditions: Adults seek sunny walls and sheltered cracks as days shorten and temperatures fall. They may spend winter inside wall spaces or other protected sites.
When it’s recorded: Recorded year-round, every year
163,711 observations in the US · 10 years · for referenceChoose a state

Behavior

Diet: Larvae and adults eat aphids, scale insects, mites, thrips, insect eggs, and other small soft-bodied prey.
Activity: They are active outdoors from spring through fall. In fall, adults often gather on the sunny sides of tall buildings before moving into shelter.
Overwintering: Adults in large groups in protected natural sites or buildings.

Life cycle

Larva: Females lay clusters of yellow eggs near prey. Mature larvae are dark blue-gray to black with bright orange patches and small spines. In summer, the larval stage often lasts 12–14 days and the pupal stage another 5–6 days.

Cautions

Cautions: Some adults can nip hard enough to cause brief, minor discomfort, but they are not a biting pest that feeds on people.

Name and classification

About the name: Several named color forms occur within this species. It is also called the multicolored Asian lady beetle.

Conservation

IUCN Red List: NENot EvaluatedNot yet assessed

15 sources