Goal For The Green

To set the record straight, the simplest answer is NO they do NOT bite. That is the case for our domestic ladybugs and lady beetles, most commonly found in North America.

However, the multi-colored Asian lady beetles DO bite. Their native habitat is northeast Asia.  However, the U.S Department of Agriculture, introduced the Asian lady beetle to California, back in 1916, to control aphids on pecan trees.  Shortly after this release years ago, they promptly disappeared.  Due to accidental transport, subsequent release, and natural migration, the Asian lady beetle is now found throughout the United States, along with more than 400 other species.

The Asian Lady beetle, is quite effective at controlling soft-bodied pests such as aphids, mites and scale, that are most commonly found in agricultural and domestic garden settings. The mature lady beetles, and their larvae consume hundreds of aphids and pests daily, thus earning their keep and proving their worth as a natural predator.

It is the Asian lady beetle, that is considered a nuisance. These are the ones who commonly invade our homes over the winter to hibernate, stain our cloths, and yes they can and do bite us!

In some cases of infestation, it is possible to have an allergic reaction to the multi-colored Asian lady beetle.  Prolonged exposure to such infestations has been reported to cause allergic reactions in some humans (Yarbrough et al 1999, mangnan et al. 2002).   Some patients have described itchy nose and eyes, sneezing, upper respiratory symptoms, and severe, or persistent asthma.  This is so unfair, to our beautiful non-biting domestic US ladybug.

The Asian lady beetle and the domestic ladybug appear to be identical. Yet, there is one important way to tell the difference. Looking down, from an above vantage point, on the section of the Asian beetle, that separates its tiny head from its winged area, there is a distinguishing mark, that looks much like the letter “M”.  Domestic ladybugs, do not have this characteristic.

If an Asian lady beetle lands on your skin, they are most likely there to explore for moisture or food. You may experience what feels like a bite, however, even most Asian lady beetles do not bite.  It is more of a nibble, that is felt, and they do not break the skin, like most other biting insects do.  They do however, have spurs on the back of their legs that can cause a poking, or pricking sensation, as they are scouting for a meal.

It is good to know that there is no known toxin or disease associated with this activity. If you are particularly sensitive, you may experience some minor pain or swelling associated with this “nibbling.”  So, if you do come upon being nibbled on, please don’t blame the innocent ladybug.  It’s after all, her look-alike, the Asian lady beetle!

See where the cutest ladybugs live!

Ladybugs, also known by their scientific name of  Coccinellidae,  are a member of the family of beetles.  They are also known as ladybirds in (British English, Australian English, and South African English speaking countries),  and ladybugs is the preferred term in North America.  Some scientist refer to them as lady beetles.

Ladybugs (Coccinellids) are found worldwide, in almost any type of climate, and in wetlands. However, they won’t fly if the temperature is below 55 degrees fahrenheit.  There are over 5,000 species described, with more than 450 species that are native to North America alone.  They are small insects, ranging from 1 mm to 10 mm (0.04 to 0.4 inches), and are usually yellow, orange, or scarlet with small black spots on their wings, with six black legs, their head and antennae are also usually black.

In the spring,  the female ladybug lays her tiny, pale yellow eggs in clusters of ten to 50 on the underside of plant leaves, near colonies of aphids. Three to five days later the larvae hatch. They look much like miniature alligators, usually gray or black, with bright spots.

After hatching, the larva immediately start killing and eating aphids. A single ladybug consumes about 5,000 aphids in his or her lifetime: 400 aphids are consumed, just in the larva stage.  Two to three weeks later, the larva pupates on a leaf, and transforms to an adult. Then as an adult, consumes another 4600 aphids in their lifetime.

During the summer, ladybugs live in shrubs, branches, and flowers, in fields, gardens, and on plants . During autumn , they form a colony called coleptera.  Then, they find and crawl to protective hiding places, such as tree stumps, cracks in wood, or in ground cover types of vegetation.  This then becomes a place to hibernate–at the base of a tree, along a fence row, under a fallen tree, or even under a rock. They crawl under leaves to protect themselves from the winter cold.  The fascinating thing is, they can hibernate in groups of 50 to 100 million, to produce and conserve warmth.  Most ladybugs only live for several months, but some can survive longer.

Generally, ladybugs are considered useful insects, as many species feed on aphids or scale insects, which are pests in gardens, agricultural fields, orchards, and similar places. There fore, they have been termed as a ” gardeners best friend”.  Some people consider seeing them or having them land on their body, to be a sign of “good luck”.

See where the cutest ladybugs live!