HOME | DD

Description

Actually, I misnamed this one. It is not a ladybug but an Asian lady beetle which is an invasive species.

Ladybugs and Asian lady beetles definitely look similar. If you look closely, however, you’ll be able to spot a few key differences:

Asian lady beetles are slightly larger than ladybugs

Ladybugs are bright red with black spots. Asian lady beetles’ coloration can vary from red to orange.

Asian lady beetles may or may not have black spots on their wing covers (cerci).

Ladybugs have a round, oval shape while Asian lady beetles tend to be a little longer.

The easiest way to tell Asian lady beetles apart from ladybugs at a glance, though, is to look for the white “M.” Asian lady beetles have a distinctive, highly visible M-shaped black marking on their otherwise-white heads:

This marking varies in size, thickness, and shape, but it’s always there.

Ladybugs’ heads are mostly black with small white markings that are confined to the sides of the head—they may resemble cheeks! In general, ladybugs’ heads or “snouts” also appear shorter and less pointed than Asian lady beetles. ‌

Description

Actually, I misnamed this one. It is not a ladybug but an Asian lady beetle which is an invasive species.

Ladybugs and Asian lady beetles definitely look similar. If you look closely, however, you’ll be able to spot a few key differences:

Asian lady beetles are slightly larger than ladybugs

Ladybugs are bright red with black spots. Asian lady beetles’ coloration can vary from red to orange.

Asian lady beetles may or may not have black spots on their wing covers (cerci).

Ladybugs have a round, oval shape while Asian lady beetles tend to be a little longer.

The easiest way to tell Asian lady beetles apart from ladybugs at a glance, though, is to look for the white “M.” Asian lady beetles have a distinctive, highly visible M-shaped black marking on their otherwise-white heads:

This marking varies in size, thickness, and shape, but it’s always there.

Ladybugs’ heads are mostly black with small white markings that are confined to the sides of the head—they may resemble cheeks! In general, ladybugs’ heads or “snouts” also appear shorter and less pointed than Asian lady beetles. ‌