Hi, I have a ton of these little beetles that look just like lady bugs only they're orange. Some have no spots & others have multi spots in a symmetrical pattern. They aren't squash beetles (I know what those look like) I live in zone 5 and these critters are inside my basement on my seedlings. I've been picking and squashing, but they keep coming on! Does anyone know what these are? Are they good or bad? I haven't seen any damage on my seedlings. They were thick outside last summer too. Any advice? Thanks, V
The whole world is a narrow bridge; the important thing is not to be afraid.
Posts: 307 | Location: USDA zone 5 South Central Iowa. | Registered: February 11, 2002
I forget the name of these, but they were in Milwaukee 3 summers ago. they were like a swarm. and they have a pinchy bite. as far as i could tell, they didn't directly harm any of my plants. but keep your vacuum handy - they will be moving into your house. don't smush them on your walls, etc because they stain. they seemed to die out after 1 or 2 summers in my experience.
They are asian ladybugs. Unlike our native ladybugs both adult and larval forms eat pests, which translates into a nasty bite for us. They are super effective predators, but unfortunately are so vigorous that in the fall and winter they can become pests, especially as they look for a place to stay for the cold weather and start flocking indoors. They stink when swatted, so vaccuuming is still the best way to get rid of them.
They are called the "Nine-spotted" or "Spotless Nine-spotted" European Beetle. If you look closely, there are 9 spots on each wing. They are a little larger than our native ladybug and a slightly lighter color. The spotless, of course, have no spots. Don't know why they call them the Spotless Nine-spotted.
They were introduced to the US to help farmers with aphids. Another story I read says it was accidental introduction.
And since they are beneficial, there isn't much, esp. organic that will get rid of them. They don't bite, just pinch. It feels like a bite though. They don't transmit any disease to humans.
And yes, they are everywhere. They are swimming in my coffee pot reservoir every morning!
---------------------------------------- Everything that blooms and grows, the garden angel scatters and sows...in the land of corn and pigs...gardensandquiltsatyahoodotcom
Posts: 2942 | Location: Zone 4-5, North Central Iowa | Registered: April 12, 2002
I know those bugs quite well, up here in Canada. When I brought in some vacationing houseplants last fall, they must have come in with egg cases, because a week later, bugs were all over the house. Incidently, I get bit by both the imports and our native ladybugs all the time. I won't even pick them up to show the kids unless I have gloves on. It reassures me to know the rest of you have discovered the same. (I thought perhaps they smelled something wrong with me and attacked!)
hi, what i have heard on the news that these are japense or china beetles they were brought over by a ariculture dept. and Dnr. to put on soybean fields to eat the mites ,amphids on the soybeans.Then they got out of hand and with dry weather they reproduce.I heard this year is going to be worse with them. I heard there is a spray. I also heard dish soap srayed can help get rid of some. They can fit in any little crack and opening and stick to even cloth. we had them all winter.and still have them. goodluck antsie.MN.
We have flocks of them here too. Everywhere this fall, and now they're waking up in the house. I've never been bitten by one, but I've heard they do pinch. It's always hard for me to tell them apart from regular ladybugs--but now I know. Nine spots or unspotted, eh?
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Our native lady bugs are cherry red. The black thorax has white markings. (I never count spots.)
