Did you know that a ladybug can have 18 spots on its back?
That means nine dots on each wing, in a symmetrical pattern.
I know this because I just had one on the end of my finger, and I counted them. Of course, I had to put it down or I wouldn't be able to type. So, now it is crawling over a roll of stamps.
I don't know where this ladybug came from. It just appeared on my computer desk. But I have noticed times when ladybugs just seem to appear, and in great profusion. They have been known to cluster in large groups in odd corners of the upstairs hallway.
These are apparently Asian lady beetles, formally known as Harmonia axyridis. They are part of the beetle family Coccinellidae. When they cluster in a corner, they are trying to hibernate. They are not all ladies, of course. Only the really spotty ones are ladies. The ones with no spots or few spots are males.
Interestingly, as the name suggests, they are not native to this country. Asian lady beetles were introduced to several states (including Pennsylvania) perhaps as early as 1916 and continuing into the 1990s to try to control pests such as aphids or scale insects. Now, of course, they are everywhere.
There are species of ladybug that are native to the U.S., so I am not sure why it was deemed necessary to bring in foreign ladybugs. Perhaps they have bigger appetites.
In England and Australia, ladybugs are called ladybirds.
It would appear that the clustering ladybugs are the Asian ones, not the native ones; the habit of clustering indoors to hibernate can create unpleasant infestations. Also, these beetles can emit a nasty smell, although I can't say that I notice it on this particular bug. The smell is from compounds produced by the beetles to ward off predators such as birds.
Uh oh, the ladybug is now inside my coffee cup. I am not sure that the caffeine would be good for her.
Here's a creepy thought for you wine lovers out there (you know who you are). Asian lady beetles have been known to get mixed into wines because there are so many of them on the grapes when they are harvested. The compounds they emit then become a part of the wine.
That means nine dots on each wing, in a symmetrical pattern.
I know this because I just had one on the end of my finger, and I counted them. Of course, I had to put it down or I wouldn't be able to type. So, now it is crawling over a roll of stamps.
I don't know where this ladybug came from. It just appeared on my computer desk. But I have noticed times when ladybugs just seem to appear, and in great profusion. They have been known to cluster in large groups in odd corners of the upstairs hallway.
These are apparently Asian lady beetles, formally known as Harmonia axyridis. They are part of the beetle family Coccinellidae. When they cluster in a corner, they are trying to hibernate. They are not all ladies, of course. Only the really spotty ones are ladies. The ones with no spots or few spots are males.
Interestingly, as the name suggests, they are not native to this country. Asian lady beetles were introduced to several states (including Pennsylvania) perhaps as early as 1916 and continuing into the 1990s to try to control pests such as aphids or scale insects. Now, of course, they are everywhere.
There are species of ladybug that are native to the U.S., so I am not sure why it was deemed necessary to bring in foreign ladybugs. Perhaps they have bigger appetites.
In England and Australia, ladybugs are called ladybirds.
It would appear that the clustering ladybugs are the Asian ones, not the native ones; the habit of clustering indoors to hibernate can create unpleasant infestations. Also, these beetles can emit a nasty smell, although I can't say that I notice it on this particular bug. The smell is from compounds produced by the beetles to ward off predators such as birds.
Uh oh, the ladybug is now inside my coffee cup. I am not sure that the caffeine would be good for her.
Here's a creepy thought for you wine lovers out there (you know who you are). Asian lady beetles have been known to get mixed into wines because there are so many of them on the grapes when they are harvested. The compounds they emit then become a part of the wine.
Winemakers call this unusual taste and smell in the wine "ladybug taint"; it is the methoxypyrazine compounds in the ladybugs, compounds also found in wines, that could change the character of the wine; they are said to smell of bell peppers, or roasted peanuts. This is obviously of some concern to the winemaking industry.
At least one winemaker does not seem to be put off of the lady beetle, however; the Lolonis Winery is an organic winery that uses the pest control qualities of the lady beetle to avoid the use of pesticides. Lolonis Winery is so fond of these insects that the ladybug is the symbol of Lolonis Wines.
They even have a Ladybug Red and Ladybug White wine.
My ladybug is still with me. I don't mind her being in the house; she can stay as long as she doesn't bring her friends.
And, of course, the wine rack is completely off limits.
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6 comments:
yes! Another ladybug lover :-) I woke up to 1 of these 18 spotted lady bugs in my bathroom sink, 2 on the shower curtain and 3 on the skylight. they come out of hibernation every year in my house. I like them :-) I'm going to take some of them to school to show the kids since we're studying arthropods! God has provided... Thanks for all the useful information :-) I didn't know that about the wine...
BTW did you ever hear of the Lost ladybug project? they're trying to document all the many different species of ladybugs and they're looking for photos and info. It does seem counterproductive to import foreign lady bugs which tend to crowd out the native species... whatever happened to the good old fashioned two-spotted ladybug? I don't see many of them anymore, do you?
BTW did you ever hear of the Lost ladybug project? they're trying to document all the many different species of ladybugs and they're looking for photos and info. It does seem counterproductive to import foreign lady bugs which tend to crowd out the native species... whatever happened to the good old fashioned two-spotted ladybug? I don't see many of them anymore, do you?
yes! Another ladybug lover :-) I woke up to 1 of these 18 spotted lady bugs in my bathroom sink, 2 on the shower curtain and 3 on the skylight. they come out of hibernation every year in my house. I like them :-) I'm going to take some of them to school to show the kids since we're studying arthropods! God has provided... Thanks for all the useful information :-) I didn't know that about the wine...
My fiancee has a (just-counted) 18-spot (9 on each side) Ladybug, that according to a few sources, including your lovely blog, is an Asian Lady Beetle. Thank you.
We are spiritual people, everything from the Bible to Holistic/Spiritual type things, so of course, my fiancee really feels that her "Mom" is with her when she enters the basement restroom and randomly, infrequently I should say, sees this same ladybug :)
I appreciate your blog and information. We've read a few days back from a woman who calls herself a "Guide" of sorts, Stacey L.L. Couch, about the Animal Spirit Guides, and that even the number of spots represent certain things, messages possibly, I am not quite sure so I don't want to go into detail.
Me? I'm really not into ladybugs but I have to say, I'm glad it makes her feel in such an amatory way, returning from her visit with the beetle in smiles and happy.
So, in closing, my other reason for writing is to inform the blog, as per the only other comment Mrs. Nature, of Asian Lady Beetle, 18 Spots, 9/9 Symmetrically-placed on each side (wing). Whitehall, Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania. January 23, 2016. I am not sure if that's pertinent information for anyone but at least it's there for the internet's taking. There's always someone looking things up so who knows, this may help somebody in the future.
Happy 2016. Thomas
Love your dialog.... Lady bugs like apple slices or half an apple...I found that out when I left one by my bed ..so I feed mine when I find them in my house ... then i transport them to the outdoors when it warms up...if they want to hand around till then 😊
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