Asian Lady Beetle | The Lady Bug's Nasty Cousin
Asian Lady Beetle | The Lady Bug's Nasty Cousin
Ladybugs are a fan favorite.
They are cherished iconic insects that play an important role
in our garden and ecosystems.
But what you are seeing here is not a ladybug.
It’s her cousin, The Asian Lady Beetle.
The ladybug is regarded as a beneficial and harmless insect.
It lacks a stinging ability, and while it occasionally bite,
it's akin to a gentle pinch.
The Asian Lady Beetle on the other hand is a nuisance.
Its bite is more painful since it scrapes the skin.
In times of danger, it might release a pungent,
yellow liquid from their leg joints.
This is called ‘reflex bleeding’.
While it’s not poisonous it can trigger
some allergic reactions.
To spot the difference,
Ladybugs are slightly smaller than their cousins.
They are red while the Asian Lady Beetles’ coloration
varies from red, orange, or even tan.
Asian lady Beetles have this prominent ‘M’ shaped pattern
on their heads while ladybugs do not.
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