Ladybugs in New Jersey

Ladybugs are commonplace in New Jersey. These little insects are part of the Coccinellidae family, which makes them technically a beetle. Despite their small size, they’re invertebrates, which means they don’t have a backbone.

There’s much confusion about these little bugs, as some call them ladybird beetles, turkey beetles, and other names. The truth is that the various colors you see on these insects help foster that confusion, but there’s much to uncover about this little insect.

The Colorful Ladybug

Some folks in the Garden State feel that only the red variety of this beetle is an actual ladybug, but this bug comes in many colors and sizes. The Asian lady beetle is more invasive than the standard ladybug, and these are typically the ones you see in your home. They’re usually a brown, orange, or yellow hue.

Their markings can be perfect dots or resemble squiggle marks, which can confuse you further. On average, the ladybug will have between 5-20 spots, depending on their size. There are numerous variations, like the 22 spotted ladybug, which is a bright yellow color. Another variation is the twice-stabbed ladybug, which is a deep black hue with two red spots in the center of its shell.

So even within the various colors and pattern styles, specific ladybugs have caught the eye of scientists. Remember that though many colors exist in the ladybug family, you won’t see bright or neon shades. Many pictures on the web are inaccurate as they’ve been photoshopped. You won’t find a purple or pink ladybug out there.

It does make you wonder why there are so many colors and markings among these beetles. Part of the reason for the color variations is to protect them. Did you know that these little insects use something called aposematic coloration? It simply means that they have a defense mechanism that warns others.

For instance, their color and markings help them steer clear of predators as it indicates they’re poisonous. Other animals who use this warning system are dart frogs, snakes, and even the skunk. It doesn’t matter what color they are if they find their way into your home. They can be pretty messy and seem to multiply overnight, so regardless of their hue, you want to know how to get rid of them.

How Did They Got Here and What Do They Eat?

Did you know that there are more than 5,000 species worldwide? Every continent has these little beetles, and it’s believed that they originated in Europe and were brought here in the early 1900s. Scientists have found evidence that states they were used to help control aphid populations, which is what their main diet consists of, so they’re very beneficial in gardens.

Though they like aphids, they will eat other things as they’re omnivores. They can feast on insects, plants, and fungi to fill their stomachs. Though they are small, their appetite doesn’t show it. During their life, they can consume 5,000 aphids, not including the other food they eat.

Source: https://askdruniverse.wsu.edu/2017/04/10/ladybugs-survive-winter/

The Life Cycle

The lifecycle of a ladybug goes through four phases. They start as an egg. The eggs are yellow, and the female lays them in a cluster pattern.

She tends to leave her eggs on branches or leaves to protect them from nature. However, she also wants to ensure it’s close to a food source when they emerge. It takes around seven days for the ladybug to hatch.

Here’s where it’s a bit interesting. Not all the eggs will hatch. The female will also lay some eggs without any embryos in them so that the larvae have proper nourishment when they emerge. So some of the eggs you see are active, and others are just casing.

Once the eggs hatch, the larvae will emerge. Some scientists believe they’re so small that they look like miniature, furry crocodiles. They have 14 days to get as much nourishment as possible to continue to the next phase. Though these critters are small, they can eat up to 400 aphids during this time.

The larvae have their color and dots on their bodies, so it’s easy to determine their appearance for adulthood. The tiny ladybug matures quickly and will shed its skin to progress to a pupa. They will find leaves to attach themselves to for safety as pupa.

Ironically, they hang upside down from the leaves, and their dark, hard, and round body supports this position. Few people know that ladybugs and bats have these characteristics in common. It’s very similar to that of a butterfly chrysalis. They spend about seven days in the pupa state before turning into a full-grown adult.

Finally, the metamorphosis is complete, and the ladybug sheds the old skin and has a new body with a shiny coat. Some of these bugs can live up to three years, but most only make it about one. It depends on the weather, food supply, and where they hibernate. Though humans are the biggest threat to these insects, wasps and some other creatures will eat them.

Migration and Hibernation

Did you know that these little beetles migrate? Many people think insects die off in the winter, but this is not always the case. True, the most active time for the ladybug is in the warm months of spring and summer, but the cooler months are reserved for mating and hibernating.

Ironically, ladybugs have a home base, and they are only more active when they leave home to look for nourishment. It doesn’t matter how far they travel; they will always make it back home. Scientists have studied this journey and found that they leave scent trails or pheromones that help them to find their way back.

You can imagine that the winter months might be harsh on something small, but they will use their family members to survive. During hibernation, ladybugs cluster by the hundreds: the more beetles that gather, the more body heat and chances of survival.

They look for places like logs, rotted tree stumps, and leaves to sleep until the springtime. Not all ladybugs want to wait for the winter to pass outside, as some prefer to come into your home. Yes, your New Jersey abode looks like a fantastic spot for the ladybug to rest.

While some ladybugs like to hibernate outside, the Asian lady beetle prefers the comforts of your home. Therefore, you will see the orange and yellow hue insects inside. They like to get the sun’s warmth, so they congregate among the windows where there’s light.

They can be pretty annoying as they seem to gather by the thousands, so you can be overwhelmed in a short period. What do you do if you see these bugs moving inside? Typically, they will start looking for a place to hibernate around the fall months.

Once the temperatures drop, they will go into the walls near the electrical system to keep warm. Therefore, you see them start swarming again when you have a warm day, and then they go back into hiding when it’s cold again. Did you know that the number of ladybugs has drastically decreased in the past few years? Scientists believe global warming is playing into this loss.

They are perplexed by the warming trends, as it has them hibernating and coming back in an above-average temperature season. They can move in and take over your home in no time. There’s no way you can fight this many by yourself, as you will need the help of a professional.

Source: https://vegento.russell.wisc.edu/natural-enemies/

Are They Poisonous?

You may wonder if these ladybugs are poisonous to humans, especially if they move into your home. You already know that they let off a foul smell that is quite intense, but is it dangerous to you if you touch them? Some folks may react to the toxin on the skin, but most people aren’t bothered by it.

You’re more likely to be bothered by the smell than the oil on your skin. The secretion is believed to aggravate those who have asthma, but it’s not a threat to everybody. You can rest easy, as the ladybugs can be smelly and even bite you, but they’re likely not a threat.

The toxins that they secrete can be damaging to some plants. The Harlequin ladybug is known for causing a problem to vineyards and crops, as the oily toxins they release can taint the plants. If they invade a vineyard during the harvest season, their secretions can contaminate the wine, and the farmer wouldn’t know until after the final product is made.

Grapes aren’t the only plant they can taint, as they’ve been known to destroy peanut crops and even asparagus with their toxic oil. When you touch them, they secrete a liquid from their legs that’s oily but harmless. Some ladybugs have a more pungent smell than others, as it has to do with the color.

The chemical is pyrazine, and the brighter the ladybug, the more the smell you will get. This chemical can ruin your clothing by staining it. Another defense technique they will do is roll up like a potato bug, roly-poly, as some call them. They can go into their shells like a turtle, so they will stay there safe and sound until the danger passes them.

Taking Flight – Their Amazing Traveling Abilities

Ladybugs are great fliers, so inside your home, they can buzz by your ears and drive you crazy. They can also reach windows in high elevations and travel quickly to get away from you. Shockingly, these little insects fly around 15 mph on average. Now, if they have the strength of the wind propelling them, they can reach up to 37 mph.

How can such a little bug get around so quickly? They move their wings constantly at approximately 80 times per second. For comparison, the hummingbird moves their wings about 788 times per second.

So while they’re quick, they’re certainly not as fast as some creatures. You won’t see their wings, though, as they’re hidden beneath their hard shell for protection.

What to Do When Ladybugs Invade Your Home?

There are tons of remedies to get rid of these ladybugs. Like the stinkbug, they will get in your food and even drop a cup of coffee on the table. It’s quite annoying when you consider how invasive they are to your space, not to mention the smell that comes with them.

One trick is to suck them up in the vacuum cleaner. The key is that you need to get rid of the bag or empty the canister immediately. These methods help in the short term, but they’re not going to do much for preventative maintenance. You can suck them up today, and 1,000 more will be back tomorrow. Additionally, if you forget to empty the canister, they are so small they will find their way back out.

Another DIY hack is to spray bleach on the windows to detour them. Yes, bleach does detour them, but it can get all over your curtains and floors and cause damage. Bleach is corrosive and can also be quite damaging to those with lung issues. So while it is helpful, it will still not eradicate your issue.

Where do these bugs come from to get into your home? You need to find broken or missing cocking and other points of entry that add to your problem. Homes with no cracks or gaps around windows and doors will have less of an issue.

Finally, the best way to get rid of these bugs is to get professional help. Due to the invasive nature of these insects, how quickly they multiply, and how they travel in large groups, it can get out of hand in the blink of an eye. You need someone with the right tools, knowledge, and pesticides to take care of it right the first time.

Ladybugs are cute and beneficial outside the garden, as they eat plant-destroying aphids, but inside they do nothing but cause drama. It’s time to take back your home by calling for help.

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