We all love to see ladybugs in our homes and in our gardens. But, the next time you think you see a lady bug that has a slightly orangish tint, know that it’s actually an Asian lady beetle.
Lady bugs and Asian lady beetle share similar characteristics in appearance but they’re not the same type of bug, even though they’re both in the Coccinellidae family.
At first glance, these two bugs are hard to tell which one is which, so we’ve put together an explainer guide that helps you identify a lady bug from an Asian lady beetle quickly.
What is a Lady Beetle?
Also known as an Asian Lady Beetle, these critters are a thinner version of lady bugs with an orange or red shell and black dots.
On their face, Asian lady beetles have white cheeks and a white marking at the back of their head that can be the shape of an M.
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Warning
Asian lady beetles can be harmful to pets if swallowed in large amounts since they release hemolymph, which can contain poisonous chemicals. If your pet has swallowed a lot of beetles, take them to the vet immediately.
What Is a Lady Bug?
Lady bugs are small beetles with a bright red shell spotted with black polka dots. They also have “white cheeks” like Asian lady beetles but do not have the white M marking at the back of the head.
Compared to Asian lady beetles, lady bugs are smaller and more plump or round while Asian lady beetles are narrower and bigger.
Lady Bug vs. Lady Beetle: What’s the Difference?
It might be hard to tell the difference between these two critters when they’re in the same home, but there are some identifiers that’s easy to note to separate the two.
For starters, Asian lady beetles and lady bugs actually have different appearances. Whereas lady bugs are famous for their red, roundish shells, Asian lady beetles have a more orange glow and oval shape.
But, since some Asian lady beetles can have a red shell, too, there’s another way to distinguish the difference looking behind the head. Asian lady beetles have a white spot behind their head whereas lady bugs don’t.
You’ll also be able to tell the difference between an Asian lady beetle or a lady bug by how aggressive they are. Lady bugs are harmless and never both homeowners, but Asian lady beetles, on the other hand, are known to bite.
Asian lady beetles also have a habit of sneaking into a home through gaps or cracks while lady bugs wait to be invited in. So if you’re not encouraging these little red critters inside the four walls of your home, odds are you’re dealing with an Asian lady beetle invasion.
Also, another big distinction between these two similar bugs is the smell they emit. A group of Asian lady beetles tends to give off a foul, moldy odor, so if you’re starting to smell something musty in your home, it could be this species.
How to Control Asian Lady Beetle
Asian lady bugs start to invade homes that are warm and well-illuminated or already have other Asian lady beetles occupying the space. If you start to notice a build-up of these critters, you might be wondering how to control them and remove Asian lady beetles from your home.
Here are a few ways to do it:
- Vacuum them up.
- Place black light traps in a few areas.
- Spray insecticide around your home.
- Seal gaps or openings around windows and doors.
- Plant mums in your outdoor flower garden.
FAQ
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No, lady beetles do not turn into lady bugs. Though these two insects looks alike and are part of the same family, they are not the same in appearance and how they act.
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Lady beetles are beneficial insects since they eat other insects or aphids that might be destroying the plants in your garden. Their main downside is the biting that can occur when they sneak into your home, plus the smelly odor they emit.
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Like lady beetles, lady bugs are attracted to warmth. So as the temperatures start to drop outside and the temperatures inside your house increase, lady bugs will start to become attracted to the warmth indoors and flock to your interiors.