Yes, There Is Such A Thing As 'Bad Ladybugs' - Here's How To Identify Them This Spring

May 13, 2019 by apost team

Not all ladybugs are harmless. In fact, some are far from.

Do you remember being a kid and being fascinated by ladybugs? Perhaps you made a wish when one landed on you.

But it turns out that they can be rather nasty. Just like spiders and bees, these little bugs can leave you with a bite or a sting.

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You might've let a ladybug crawl on you from time to time, or even tried to pick them up with your finger.

They're supposed to be nice and friendly, so what's there to be afraid of?

They're also associated with good luck and a healthier garden. Seriously, with their cute shells and positive omens, what's not to love?

But there's something we know now that we didn't know before.

One breed of ladybug actually spells bad luck for anyone to come across one. It's called an "Asian lady beetle" and looks just like a regular ladybug.

But they are not your average ladybug!

They first came to North America in 1916 in order to be used to prey on aphids that eat our crops, just as a standard ladybug might do. But they can be mean little insects, biting you and your dog!

So what's the difference between these nice and mean ladybugs?

Asian lady beetles have a white "M" shaped marking behind their head. A regular ladybug will have a mostly black head with just small white markings on the side or top of the head.

Also, ladybugs are more likely to stay in the garden, while Asian lady beetles tend to find their way indoors. They also leave behind a yellow substance that they secrete. It smells bad and can leave a stain.

It's easy to get rid of Asian lady beetles with a little effort. Simply seal up any cracks in the walls or window frames and you can prevent more of them from getting indoors.

If you find one, resist the urge to smash it. Instead, vacuum it up or flush them away. Their blood and secretions smell and leave stains, so its easier to just avoid dealing with that smell.

Did you learn something new today? Maybe your friends would be interested to know how to tell the difference between friendly ladybugs and Asian lady beetles who could bite, so pass this along!