Insect identifier · Often confused insects
How to identify a Lady beetle
Harmonia axyridis
· Also called ladybug, asian lady beetle, ladybird, multivariate lady beetle
People searching “lady beetle bite” want a straight answer. Lady beetle (Harmonia axyridis) can bother people. Also called ladybug, asian lady beetle, ladybird, multivariate lady beetle.
Hundreds of orange beetles in the window are lady beetles, not bed bugs.
What does a lady beetle look like?
Lady beetle is About 5–8 mm, round. Colors: orange, red, black, yellow. Marks: Round, spotted or plain; M-shaped mark behind the head on many Asian lady beetles; Clusters on sunny walls; Yellow defensive fluid.
Lady beetle is About 5–8 mm, round. Colors: orange, red, black, yellow. Marks: Round, spotted or plain; M-shaped mark behind the head on many Asian lady beetles; Clusters on sunny walls; Yellow defensive fluid.
Identification marks
- Round, spotted or plain
- M-shaped mark behind the head on many Asian lady beetles
- Clusters on sunny walls
- Yellow defensive fluid
Size: About 5–8 mm, round
Colors: orange, red, black, yellow
Where: both
What a typical lady beetle bite looks like
A small nip if one crawls on skin. Not a welt line. The smell and stain are the usual complaint. Round spotted beetle on a sunny wall in October = lady beetle. Flat brown insect in a seam = bed bug.
A small nip if one crawls on skin. Not a welt line. The smell and stain are the usual complaint.
If you were bitten
- Brush off, don’t crush on skin
- Vacuum clusters
- Seal before fall
- No medical care for a nip
Lady beetle vs Bed bug
Round spotted beetle on a sunny wall in October = lady beetle. Flat brown insect in a seam = bed bug.
- Bed bug identification (Cimex lectularius)
- Varied carpet beetle identification (Anthrenus verbasci)
- Boxelder bug identification (Boisea trivittata)
Range and season
Active fall invasions of houses. Places: house, garden. The fall invader. Can nip skin. Not a bed bug. The native lady beetles are the garden ones that stay outside.
Sunny walls and attics in autumn.
The fall invader. Can nip skin. Not a bed bug. The native lady beetles are the garden ones that stay outside.
Fall invasions of houses
Common questions
Do ladybugs bite?
Asian lady beetles can nip. They do not feed on blood.
Ladybug vs bed bug?
Lady beetles are round and spotted and show up in fall on walls. Bed bugs are flat and hide in mattress seams.