Asian ladybugs [ladybirds]

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The subject of Asian ladybugs came up during a gardening thread a few days ago. You might have guessed I'd find some info in an old Organic Gardening--March 1994. The good news is they act like the home-grown variety and dine voraciously on that bane of the vegetable garden--aphids.

. . . Harmonia axyridis, [to] which the good folks at the USDA beneficial insect research facility in Delaware have just. . . given the common name of "Multicolored Asian Lady Beetle," is making its way up from the Deep South. This beneficial is dining on aphids in the spring and summer, but swarming like bees and clustering for warmth on the sides of houses in the fall and sometimes invading homes in swarmy clumps (yuck!).

. . . Entemologsts have known about these ladybugs for decades; they sport anywhere from zero to 20 spots, usually on the standard red body, but some can be pink, yellow, or even brown!

. . . [I]n 1988 the bugs showed up in Abita Springs, Louisiana--right across the lake from New Orkleans--and they've been marchin' and swarmin' north ever since.

USDA entemologist Psul Schaeffer, PhD, . . . thinks that this new aphid-gobbling army is descended from an especially handy crew that stole into New Orleans, probably on an Asian freighter. In their native Japan. these ladybugs hibernate during the winter in cliffside crevices, huddled by the thousands. In the cliffless climes of Louisiana, however, they had to settle for the next best thing--houses. And once they get inside, they especially like to congregate in the corners of ceilings, where they hang in great big gobs. . . .

They've already been sighted as far north as Pennsylvania, and scientists figure they can survive all the way into southern Canada; but it is expected that their population will likely stabilize at relatively low levels before they devour Cleveland. . . The bottom line for those pestered by these friendly creatuers is that they;re harmless and beneficial. SO PLEASE DON'T KILL 'EM! Vacuum them up if you have to and release them outside, well away from any homes. . . . [I]f the ladybugs are getting into your house, so is cold air in winter--and hot aitr in summer--so fill in those cracks.

Typed by

-- Old Git (anon@spamproblems.com), May 02, 1999

Answers

Or, they simply come in any time you have a window open.......unless screens are very tight they don't keep the critters out. Once in, they reproduce in the house, too.

-- I know (Just@Sprayed.home), May 02, 1999.

Git,

I know these are one of the "good" ones, but I have to spray them. They definately swarm like bees. They also bite. I don't care what any one else says we have been bitten many times. I do believe it is a defense though. I choose to spray, and many thanks for the "pesty" update.

-- R. Wright (blaklodg@aol.com), May 03, 1999.


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