The Harlequin
Spots, no spots, nine spots, lots of spots--the Harlequin Ladybug has as many different names, as it has different color forms. Luckily, they all seem to have five spots that seem to form the letter "M" on the light background of its pronotum (thorax).
"Officially-called" the Multicolored Asian Lady Beetle (Harmonia axyridis), this ladybug was first found in southeastern U.S. in the late 1970s. Since then it has spread across most of North America. They may have been introduced purposefully, as a biological control of aphids , their primary food.
ID Tip: When purchasing a field guide, get one from a notable author, with the latest copyright date. Recent invasive species obviously will not appear in guides with older copyright dates.
The Harlequin
Spots, no spots, nine spots, lots of spots--the Harlequin Ladybug has as many different names, as it has different color forms. Luckily, they all seem to have five spots that seem to form the letter "M" on the light background of its pronotum (thorax).
"Officially-called" the Multicolored Asian Lady Beetle (Harmonia axyridis), this ladybug was first found in southeastern U.S. in the late 1970s. Since then it has spread across most of North America. They may have been introduced purposefully, as a biological control of aphids , their primary food.
ID Tip: When purchasing a field guide, get one from a notable author, with the latest copyright date. Recent invasive species obviously will not appear in guides with older copyright dates.