Saturday, September 10, 2022

Saturday Critters: Lady Beetles

Spotted Pink Lady Beetle (Coleomegilla maculata)

Ursine Spurleg (Orange-spotted) Lady Beetle
(Brachiacantha ursina)

Three-banded Lady Beetle (Coccinella trifasciata)

Above are the photos of native lady beetle species that I have found on my land over the past 20 years. Only three species of natives! And below are the lady beetle species from the past twenty years on my land that have been introduced to North America over history to rid us of aphids. That hasn't gone so well, has it? But our native population of lady beetles has plummeted because of these new ones: 


Asian Lady Beetle (Harmonia axyridis)
Now invading Europe.
Chronic Vermont home infestations.
Distinctive smell.
Bad tasting to pets.
They bite.
Usually large, but come in many sizes and color variations.

Instar of Asian Lady Beetle larva

Instar of Asian Lady Beetle larva

Seven-spotted Lady Beetle
(Coccinella septempunctata)
European
Established in US in 1973
Official state insect in five different states:
Delaware, Massachusetts,
New Hampshire, Ohio, and Tennessee.

Variegated Lady Beetle (Hippodamia variegata)
European
First found in Québec in 1987

Fourteen-spotted Lady Beetle
(Propylea quatuordecimpunctata)
From Europe, North Africa, and Asia

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22 comments:

  1. eileeninmdSeptember 10, 2022 12:43 PM

    Hello,
    The Lady Beetles are pretty. I do not see them here often. Great post! Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, have a happy weekend! PS, thank you for leaving me a comment.

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  2. Lynn and PreciousSeptember 10, 2022 2:04 PM

    Those Asian lady beetles surround my house in October like fleas on a dog! They stink and bite and I'd like to fill the house of the person or persons who thought they were a great import.

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  3. Sharon WagnerSeptember 10, 2022 2:52 PM

    They are perfect little packages or orange and black, like little jewels.

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  4. ~Lavender Dreamer~September 10, 2022 3:36 PM

    They are cute! I like the little lady bug best, red with black dots!

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  5. Brian's Home BlogSeptember 10, 2022 6:46 PM

    They are so pretty and painted up beautifully!

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  6. CloudiaSeptember 10, 2022 10:41 PM

    Delightful to spend time with these, my childhood friends and their cousins

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  7. meowmeowmansSeptember 10, 2022 11:54 PM

    Great photos of all those lady beetles! I always have trouble telling them all apart.

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  8. DukeSeptember 11, 2022 11:20 AM

    We get a few lady bugs hanging out inside our house in the winter time. I, Molly, don't like bugs but mom isn't bothered by them at all.

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  9. AmySeptember 11, 2022 3:41 PM

    I love these guys, they use to eat the aphids on my roses.

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  10. messymimiSeptember 11, 2022 10:17 PM

    Real lady-beetles are wonderful. The Asian impostors are awful and i wish we could get rid of them.

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  11. IrmaSeptember 12, 2022 1:13 PM

    What a beautiful series of photos of these ladybugs.
    Photo 7 is my favorite.
    Greetings Irma

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  12. MaritSeptember 12, 2022 2:00 PM

    So many beautiful photos of Lady Beetles! They are so pretty.

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  13. Phil SladeSeptember 12, 2022 2:56 PM

    It hardly ever works. Introducing non-native species should not be undertaken without years of research and even then it is often fraught with unforeseen problems . Nevertheless I did enjoy your photos and narrative because you have clearly done your own research.

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  14. italiafinlandiaSeptember 12, 2022 4:39 PM

    So many different types of ladybugs! 🐞

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  15. David M. Gascoigne,September 12, 2022 5:58 PM

    It's always been interesting to me that in the UK they are called ladybirds. Perhaps somehow that makes them more appealing that using ladybug or lady-beetle.

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  16. Veronica LeeSeptember 12, 2022 11:48 PM

    Fascinating series of bug photos!🐞
    I especially love the Asian lady beetle.

    Happy Tuesday, Andree!

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  17. NatureFootstepSeptember 13, 2022 3:44 AM

    wow, that´s a lot of different ladies :) So different from one another but all beautiful.

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  18. VillroseSeptember 13, 2022 5:15 AM

    Beautiful Lady Beetles!

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  19. BreathtakingSeptember 14, 2022 8:55 AM

    Hello, I'm late in visiting because of a computer glitch, and also my mouse wouldn't work. All back to normal now, and I think those little beetles are all so pretty. It's amazing that you found so many to share, but I'm glad you did. Very interesting read I haven't seen the Asian Lady Beetle on my land as yet, and perhaps it's for the best!
    All the best to you Andree.

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  20. Rainbow EveningSeptember 16, 2022 7:41 AM

    beautiful critters.... excellent shots...
    Thank you for descriptions... lovely info...

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  21. Tanza ErlambangSeptember 16, 2022 11:45 AM

    aww... many types and colors of Lady Beetles..... I always see the first photo....

    Thank you for sharing beautiful photos and knowledge

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  22. RostroseSeptember 19, 2022 9:54 AM

    Hi Andree, yes, here in Austria the introduced species are said to be displacing the native ladybeetles, too. Although I either still find enough native ladybugs in our garden - or maybe I can't really tell the difference... I definitely like your photos!
    All the best,
    Traude
    https://rostrose.blogspot.com/2022/09/ausflug-nach-marchegg-schloss-storche.html

    ReplyDelete

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