All about ladybugs in New Jersey
As a Garden State resident, you’re familiar with the various insects that plague the area. Some of them eat harmful bugs and greatly benefit your lawn and garden. However, many insects you see are pests and can infest your home.
Some insects often resemble beneficial ones in the same species. Is it an invasive bug crawling up your wall, or is it helpful? A common mistake people make is confusing native ladybugs with harlequin/Asian ladybugs.
Meet the Native ladybeetles
Images of bespeckled ladybugs have graced literature, art, and jewelry for centuries. Ladybugs are small beetles belonging to the coleoptera order and in the coccinellidae family. They also have characteristics like two sets of wings that make them true bugs.
Entomologists say ladybugs may have been on the earth before dinosaurs appeared. They live in places all around the globe, except in extreme deserts and arctic climates. Since they often feed on smaller insects, ladybugs migrate to wherever the food is plentiful.
There are approximately 5,000 ladybug species worldwide, with at least 450 natives to North America. Scientists further estimate that 150 ladybug species call the United States home.
Physical Characteristics
Ladybugs are readily identified by their oval-shaped bodies with black spots. Although your mind may first picture the classic red ladybug, their colors often vary by species. Some may be orange, yellow, pink, or even gray.
Their size may range from 1 mm (about 0.04 in) to slightly over 10 mm (about 0.39 in.) You’ll also recognize the iconic black dots on their bodies. However, some species have red or white markings or sometimes bold stripes. If you can see close enough to count them, you may find that some ladybugs can have as many as 13 spots on their wings’ upper section.
As true bugs, ladybugs have a double set of wings, so they can fly wherever they need. It’s no wonder why many Europeans call these insect aviators ladybirds. Researchers estimate that some ladybugs can fly up to 74 miles in a single flight.
Life Cycle
During the warmer months, male and female ladybugs may mate several times, and females may lay up to 1,000 eggs in one season. The mother ladybug lays a cluster of five to 30 tiny yellow eggs on the underside of leaves. They instinctively deposit eggs with plenty of aphids for the larvae to eat.
• Larvae
Depending on the outside temperature, it takes approximately two to ten days for the ladybug eggs to hatch into larvae. The bitsy larvae are black with bright spots on their bumpy bodies. Any infertile eggs that didn’t hatch will become a quick snack for the newly emerged nymphs.
Just because they are minuscule doesn’t mean their appetite is just as small. During the next two weeks, ladybug larvae feed insatiably. Their favorite prey is aphids and other garden pests like mites, adelgids, and scale insects. A single larva can devour 400 aphids before its next life stage.
As the larvae gorge on pests, they grow too big for their hard exoskeleton, so they molt into a bigger one. They will usually molt four times before they enter their pupal stage. The larvae attach to leaves or stems and pupate for up to 14 days and emerge as adult ladybugs.
These new adults have soft exoskeletons and are usually pale yellow. Soon, these exoskeletons will harden, and their body color will fully develop into a vibrant red or another hue. They fly around eating garden pests, mate during spring and summer, and live for about a year.
• Habitat
One of the reasons that ladybugs have thrived for thousands of years is their versatility. They can live happily in many environments with plenty of vegetation and soft-bodied insect prey. You can find these helpful bugs in the woods, suburbs, or even big cities in New Jersey.
• The Active Season
Ladybugs are most active during the warmer months of spring, summer, and early fall. Their activity peak is spring mating season, and you’ll see them buzzing together in groups called a loveliness. As the cold of winter sets in, ladybugs either migrate to warmer climates or hibernate safely in the underbrush.
What Do ladybirds Eat?
Fortunately, helpful ladybug species aren’t picky about their food. They are constantly munching on pests and harmful molds. A typical menu for them includes the following:
• Aphids, mealybugs, scale insects, mites, and other soft-bodied pests
• Nectar from flowers, honeydew, and morning dew drops
• Harmful plant fungal and mold growths
Which Species are Pests?
Not all ladybug species in the Garden State are the typical cute red bugs with black polka dots. These are the gardener’s friends, and if they come inside your home, it’s by accident. On the other hand, some species are pests and notorious for house infestation.
1. Native Vs. Invasive
As you travel throughout New Jersey and the rest of the United States, many of the ladybugs you’ll see are native. Unfortunately, profound consequences often result when humans mess with the ecological balance. In 1918, American researchers purposely imported a ladybug species from Asia to control the aphid population.
Gradually, this species overpopulated and was declared a nuisance in 1988. They’ve also been an ongoing threat to native species. Unlike their American cousins, harlequin/Asian ladybugs will infest homes and other human spaces.
2. Color Identification
The color and markings of the ladybugs depend on the species, region, and diet. They use their colors as camouflage and a way to ward off predators. These are some color distinctions and what they mean:
Some small beetles are easily mistaken for ladybugs. They usually have the same lifecycle and habitat. These ladybug twins include the scarlet lily beetle, the Colorado potato and the cleridae beetle.
• Red: Many native and beneficial ladybugs have the iconic red color with black dots. Their scarlet hue may be a turnoff to predators, but the color usually reads “beneficial” to people.
• Orange: Harlequin/Asian ladybugs are commonly orange with black markings. Their musk carries the most risk for allergic reactions.
• Brown: If you see a brown ladybug, it’s probably a larch variety. The brown hue expertly camouflages them in the brush. They pose the most negligible allergen risks.
• Black: Pine ladybugs are black with small red dots, and they have a high risk for allergic reactions.
Some small beetles are easily mistaken for ladybugs. They usually have the same lifecycle and habitat. These ladybug twins include the scarlet lily beetle, the Colorado potato and the cleridae beetle.
Some small beetles are easily mistaken for ladybugs. They usually have the same lifecycle and habitat. These ladybug twins include the scarlet lily beetle, the Colorado potato and the cleridae beetle.
3. Solitary Vs. Swarming
Most beneficial ladybug species prefer to hunt and fly alone. However, you can sometimes see a ladybug’s “loveliness” during mating season. Conversely, invasive species like the harlequin/Asian ladybug travel and infest yards and homes in massive swarms.
Do They Harbor Disease?
Few things are as frustrating as an infestation of harlequin/Asian ladybugs. They often get into people’s homes and congregate in windows, walls, drapery, and furniture, leaving smelly stains. But do these prolific pests carry diseases to you or your pets?
Yes and no. All ladybug species have mouths, and they can pinch or bite when threatened. Fortunately, not even invasive species are aggressive, and their defensive bites don’t hurt. According to medical specialists, invasive ladybugs don’t carry any diseases or disorders to humans.
• Allergen Risks
Harlequin/Asian ladybugs may not directly carry diseases, but they still present health risks. When threatened, they emit a foul-smelling liquid that’s instantly recognizable. Some people can have an allergic reaction if they touch or breathe this musk, resulting in itching or severe breathing problems.
• Risks to Animals
Animals in the wild quickly learn to identify insects with terrible taste. If one of your livestock or pets eats a harlequin/Asian ladybug, they’ll get a few drops of their nauseating musk. Veterinarians warn that the musk can produce burns and gastric issues in wild and domestic animals.
While severe ladybug poisoning is uncommon, you should be aware of some symptoms. It’s imperative to be vigilant during warm months and cases of home infestation. These are some symptoms your fur baby may display:
• Excessive drooling
• Lethargy/drowsiness
• Changes in behavior
• Vomiting
• Constipation
If you believe your pet has consumed harlequin/Asian lady bugs, see your vet as soon as possible.
What Attracts Invasive Species?
Countless New Jersey residents try to attract beneficial ladybugs to their lawn and gardens. These dainty friends can keep your flowers, trees, fruits, and vegetables clean of pests and fungi. Be aware that the same conditions that attract good ladybugs can also attract the ones that can invade your home. These include:
• Light colors
• Warm, sunny areas with plenty of vegetation
• Safe hiding spots in cracks and crevices
How to Keep the Invasive Ones at Bay
You’ll see the beneficial ladybugs in flight as soon as the weather warms in the spring. You’ll also notice swarms of stinking invasive species. These pests often invade people’s houses, especially when it gets cold outside.
The best way to keep these flying nuisances out of your home is prevention. Once they get in, getting rid of them can be a battle. Here are some steps to consider:
• Examine the exterior of your house and seal any cracks or crevices that could mean an open invitation to an invasive ladybug.
• Repair or replace any damaged screens in your doors and windows.
• Use essential oils like lavender, lemon, clove, bay leaf, or citronella as natural deterrents. Keep these out of reach of children and pets.
What Should Your Do for a Ladybug Infestation?
Sometimes, these odorous bugs get into your home no matter what preventatives you try. If an invasive species infests your home in spring and summer, it will overwinter and be a more significant issue the following year. Consider trying these methods to get rid of them:
• Crushing invading ladybugs inside isn’t a great idea. They’ll produce smelly musk as they die, which could become an allergen to you and your family. It can make you itch, sneeze, or break out into hives.
• nstead, use a hose attachment and quickly suck them up into your vacuum. Empty the debris canister into a bucket of warm soapy water. It will kill the bugs, and you needn’t deal with the bad smell.
• Consider purchasing inexpensive light traps from a home improvement store or online. The light attracts the invasive ladybugs into the web, and you can dispose of them outside in a water bucket. These lights are effective in any season.
• Sprinkle diatomaceous earth around the perimeters of your house, along window seals and thresholds. The gritty silicon in DE is harmless to people and animals, but it destroys the ladybugs’ exoskeleton and kills them. DE is cheap and can be found at most lawn and garden stores or online.
When is it Time to Call the Professionals?
Little red ladybugs in gardens and storybooks may be cute, but some species can cause extensive home infestations. They can make your house stink and stain walls and upholsteries. Plus, their gross musk can lead to severe allergic reactions in you, your family, and your pets.
If you’ve had it with invasive ladybugs in your New Jersey home, it’s time to call an exterminator. Our experienced and professional technicians can eliminate these pests and keep them from returning. You can enjoy quality time with family and friends at home without unwelcome ladybugs joining the festivities.
To learn more:
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