Lady Bug vs. Asian Lady Beetle: What to Know

We all love the adorable little ladybug, a familiar site in summer gardens. In fact, there are hundreds of species of lady beetles, commonly known as ladybugs, in the United States. Some are native to North America, while others have been introduced from other parts of the world. Unfortunately, several species of native ladybugs have become rare, such as the 9-spotted ladybug, while non-native species like the Asian lady beetle have become invasive, often displacing native ladybug populations. Ahead, learn more about these native and non-native ladybug species with help from plant knowledge specialist Sharon Yiesla from the Plant Clinic at The Morton Arboretum.

What’s the Difference?

While both are species of lady beetles, there are some big differences. Native ladybugs primarily eat aphids. They do not bite, and they don’t seek shelter in warm places over the winter. But if they are still bothering you, here is how to get rid of ladybugs. Asian lady beetles (also known as Japanese lady beetles, harlequin ladybirds or Halloween bugs) also eat aphids and other pests. But they eat other insects as well, including native ladybugs. Asian lady beetles invade warm houses and buildings over the winter, and will gather in groups on brightly-colored surfaces or windows. Asian lady beetles will bite, and they sometimes secrete a smelly liquid that can affect some people with allergies or asthma.

How Did the Asian Lady Beetle Get Here?

We brought it here. The USDA imported the insect in the early 20th century as a natural pest control for crops. A population established itself near New Orleans in the late 1980s, and today it is found in most of the United States.

How Do We Tell Them Apart?

“There are several species of native ladybugs, not just the familiar red one,” Yiesla says. The most common species, the convergent lady beetle (Hippodamia convergens), has 13 or fewer spots on the bright reddish-orange or red forewings. This native species also has two white lines that meet or converge behind the head, giving the insect its name.

The Asian lady beetle (Harmonia axyridis) can have many spot patterns. It varies in color from yellow to red-orange. Additionally, “It can have no black spots or as many as 19,” Yiesla says. “The area right behind the head is tan with a black mark that resembles an ‘M’ (remember ‘M’ for multicolored).”

Which One Is Better for My Garden?

Both insects are predators of aphids that feed on plant juices and damage vegetable, flower and tree fruit crops. The native ladybug only eats soft-bodied plant pests like aphids or insect eggs that are laid on leaves. This is usually the type of ladybug that is collected and sold as a natural pest control for gardeners.

Asian lady beetles prefer aphids, but will eat other ladybug species and will infest fall fruit like grapes, apples and raspberries.

How Can I Attract Native Ladybugs?

“A good way to get beneficial insects like ladybugs into your garden is to make the garden a safe place,” Yiesla says. “Try to have one plant or another in flower all season. Ladybugs don’t just eat other bugs; they eat pollen and nectar.”

You might have some luck if you stop raking leaves. Ladybugs like to overwinter in leaf litter, unlike the Asian lady beetle, which prefers your warm house. You could also put in aphid-loving plants to attract the native species, but the Asian lady beetle will be drawn to the same plants. You can also buy ladybugs, but there could be Asian lady beetles mixed in, and most will fly away if there is no available food source.

The best plan of action is to remove the Asian lady beetles when you see them and offer the native species a safer environment. If the Asian lady beetles are inside, vacuum them up using a vacuum with a HEPA filter, or sweep them with a broom into a dustpan and dispose of them. If they are outside and you are positive they are Asian lady beetles, you can pick them off and dispose of them. Make sure you are not removing native ladybugs!

If you spot a ladybug in your garden, try to snap a clear picture of it. The Lost Ladybug Project, a Cornell University and 4-H partnership, encourages gardeners to log visits of any rare species of ladybugs.

FAQ

How can I prevent Asian lady beetles from getting inside?

Focus on sealing any gaps in your home’s exterior, especially around windows and doors. Darker paint colors can be less attractive to Asian lady beetles as well.

What’s the best way to remove them from my home?

Use a shop vac to vacuum them up, then empty into a trash bag and dispose.

About the Expert

Sharon Yiesla is a Plant Knowledge Specialist with the Plant Clinic at The Morton Arboretum.