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As far as household critters go, ladybugs have a pretty sterling reputation. Seen as a sign of good luck, and often appearing in childrens books and cartoons, these red-and-black-spotted insects have plenty of great qualities. Theyre a noninvasive, native species that pretty much keeps to themselves. Ladybugs even prey on pests like aphids, spider mites, and mealybugs that would otherwise destroy your plants.
However, not all beetles are created equal. The Asian lady beetle is a ladybug lookalike that can cause trouble in the fall and winter months. These multicolored bugs can look seemingly identical to ladybugs, but theyre much less friendly. While Asian lady beetles also prey on pests that harm our gardens, their cons far outweigh the pros. Heres exactly how to tell if youre dealing with an Asian lady beetle vs. ladybug, and what to do about it.
Ladybugs are a beloved garden insect, known for their bright red bodies and black polka dot markings But several other bug species closely resemble the cute ladybug It can be tricky to tell which bugs are helpful ladybugs or if you’re dealing with an imposter in your garden!
In this article, we’ll cover 14 bugs that often get mistaken for ladybugs We’ll go over tips on how to identify ladybugs and lookalike species With these identification tricks, you’ll be able to spot the differences and keep your garden free of invasive pests.
Why People Love Ladybugs
Ladybugs are found on every continent except Antarctica. There are over 5,000 species worldwide. Their scientific name is coccinellidae.
In North America the most common ladybug species is the seven-spotted ladybug. It has a bright red body with seven black spots. Other popular ladybug species include the convergent ladybug, pink-spotted ladybug and Asian ladybug.
Ladybugs are considered highly beneficial insects. As larvae and adults, they feed on soft-bodied garden pests like aphids, mealybugs, and mites. A few ladybugs in the garden can help naturally protect your plants.
Ladybugs don’t bite or sting humans. The insects are gentle and docile, making them kid-friendly. Their bright colors and spots add cheerful life to the garden. It’s no wonder they have a reputation as lucky insects!
14 Insects Mistaken for Ladybugs
Unfortunately, not every ladybug lookalike shares the same innocent nature. Some imposter species can damage crops, invade homes, or deliver painful bites with their small jaws.
To keep your garden healthy, learn how to identify the following 14 insects that often get confused with ladybugs:
1. Ladybird Mimicking Spider
This spider can be found in South Africa. With its domed orange body and black spots, it’s nearly identical to a ladybug when viewed from above. Look for its orange legs rather than black legs to correctly identify it.
2. Beetle Mimicking Cockroach
Several cockroach species in the Prosoplecta genus have coloration resembling ladybugs. They have red bodies with black spots or black bodies with red spots. 21 Prosoplecta species mimic ladybugs.
3. Golden Tortoise Beetle
Native to North America, this tiny gold and black beetle resembles an orange ladybug. It changes colors based on temperature and hydration.
4. Argus Tortoise Beetle
Found in the Caribbean, this beetle has a reddish-orange body with black markings like a Nine-Spotted Ladybug. It gets its name from its ability to extend its head into its domed shell.
5. Mottled Tortoise Beetle
Most often seen in the eastern and central U.S., this beetle has an irregular golden body with black stripes. It resembles a Twenty-Two Spotted Ladybug.
6. Spotted Cucumber Beetle
A major pest of squash and cucumber crops, this beetle looks like a yellow ladybug with black spots. It has a slightly elongated body compared to a ladybug.
7. Swamp Milkweed Leaf Beetle
With its orange domed body and black spots, this beetle is often confused with red ladybugs. Its spots are much larger than typical ladybug markings.
8. Larger Elm Leaf Beetle
This yellow and black beetle resembles a pale orange Ten-Spotted Ladybug. Its body is more pear-shaped compared to a ladybug’s roundness.
9. Bean Leaf Beetle
Common in soybean and alfalfa fields, this golden beetle has black spots and stripes resembling a yellow ladybug. It has a flatter, longer body than a ladybug.
10. Eight-Spotted Flea Beetle
Only about 1/8-inch long, this beetle has a shiny black body with eight white spots. Its markings give it the appearance of a black ladybug with white polka dots.
11. Ladybird Bug
Despite its name, this African beetle isn’t a true ladybug. It has an orange and black body but a much wider, flatter shape than a typical ladybug.
12. Grapevine Beetle
Native to the eastern U.S., this beetle’s yellow body with four black spots resembles a yellow-orange ladybug. It has clubbed antennae unlike a ladybug’s longer, thinner antennae.
13. False Ladybird
As its name indicates, this European beetle mimics ladybugs very closely. Look for its flatter body and larger black markings to properly identify it.
14. Asian Lady Beetle
Introduced from Asia to control crop pests, the Asian lady beetle has variable coloring. Look for the white “M” shape on its head to correctly identify it. It also has a flatter, more oval body than a ladybug.
How to Tell Ladybugs and Lookalikes Apart
With so many insects mimicking the familiar ladybug, it can be tricky to tell them all apart. Use these tips to accurately identify ladybugs:
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Examine the body shape. Ladybugs have a distinctive domed, hemispherical shape. Imposters like false ladybugs tend to have flatter, elongated bodies.
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Check for the “M”. Asian lady beetles have a white “M” marking on their black heads. True ladybugs never have this marking.
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Look at the legs. A ladybug’s legs are solid black. Spider imposters often have orange striped legs that don’t match the body.
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Consider the antennae. Ladybugs have long, thin antennae. Imposters like grapevine beetles have shorter, clubbed antennae.
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Note size differences. Ladybugs range from 0.8mm to 18mm long. Asian lady beetles and spider mimickers tend to be slightly larger.
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Watch behavior. Ladybugs are shy and prefer to live outdoors. Asian lady beetles aggressively invade homes in winter.
Keeping Ladybug Lookalikes Out of Your Home
Some ladybug imposters like Asian lady beetles can become nuisance home invaders. Here are tips to discourage them:
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Seal any exterior cracks around windows, doors, and foundations.
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Repair damaged window screens.
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Install insect light traps in attics or basements.
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Spray citrus or essential oils around windows and doors.
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Vacuum up any insects already indoors.
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Contact a pest control professional for severe infestations.
Benefits of True Ladybugs
Once you can reliably recognize true ladybugs, you’ll want to welcome them into your garden! As beneficial predators, ladybugs help control soft-bodied pests without the use of pesticides.
Their voracious appetites help limit aphids, spider mites, mealybugs, scales, and other plant-damaging insects. And their presence indicates your garden has a healthy balance of predators and prey.
A garden in harmony with helpful ladybugs is a sign of an ecosystem in balance. Learning to identify ladybugs properly helps preserve populations of this much-loved beneficial insect.
Are Asian Lady Beetles Harmful to Humans?
An Asian lady beetle is no match for humans, but they are an incredible nuisance. Asian lady beetles “bite” by scraping the skin they land on. And when they feel threatened, they may excrete a foul-smelling, yellow liquid from their leg joints. This excretion is called “reflex bleeding” and can also happen when they are crushed. Reflex bleeding isn’t dangerous or poisonous, but it can trigger minor allergic reactions. They can also stain walls or fabrics, damaging your property.
Differences in Appearance Between Ladybugs and Asian Lady Beetles
Ladybugs and Asian lady beetles definitely look similar—but their size, color, and markings can help you tell the difference. If you’re examining beetles in your yard, check for these key differences:
- Size matters: Asian lady beetles are slightly larger than ladybugs. They’re about 7 mm long and 5.5 mm wide.
- Check the color: Ladybugs are bright red. The coloration of invasive Asian lady beetles varies. You might see Asian lady beetles that are red, orange, or even tan.
- Spot the spots: Ladybugs always have black spots on their wing covers, also called cerci. Asian lady beetles may or may not have black spots on their wing covers. No spots means that you have an Asian lady beetle in your garden.
- Examine their shape: Ladybugs have a more round shape while Asian lady beetles tend to be oval and a little longer.
- Look for the “M:” 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 headsThis marking varies in size, thickness, and shape, but it’s always there.
This is a picture of an Asian lady beetle with the classic “M” marking on its head.
This is a picture of a ladybug with white markings only on the side of its head
You can see that a ladybug has a mostly black head. They also have small, white markings on sides of the head which look like cheeks! In general, ladybugs’ heads or “snouts” also appear shorter and less pointed than Asian lady beetles.
Know the difference between lady bugs and Asian lady beetles
FAQ
What bug is mistaken for a ladybug?
Ladybug look-alikes that can be destructive to your garden, include the Mexican bean beetle, that feeds on bean plants and the squash lady beetle, that feeds on summer squash, zucchini, cucumbers, bean, and pea plants. Other look-alikes are clerid beetles, scarlet lily beetles, and Colorado potato beetles.
What are the invasive bugs that look like ladybugs?
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Appearance:While they share a similar appearance, Asian lady beetles can be identified by their color variations (ranging from red, orange, or tan), sometimes lacking spots, and having a distinct “M”-shaped marking on their heads.
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Behavior:Unlike ladybugs, which are beneficial insects that eat aphids, Asian lady beetles can form large clusters and seek shelter indoors during the colder months, sometimes causing a foul-smelling odor when disturbed or crushed.
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Invasive Nature:Asian lady beetles were introduced to North America to control aphids, but they have become invasive due to the lack of natural predators and their tendency to overwinter indoors.
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Bites:Asian lady beetles can bite, which can cause allergic skin reactions in some people.
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Identification:
- Size: Asian lady beetles are slightly larger than ladybugs.
- Shape: Asian lady beetles are more oval and elongated, while ladybugs are typically rounder.
- Spots: Ladybugs always have black spots on their wing covers, while Asian lady beetles may or may not have spots.
- M-Marking: Asian lady beetles have a visible “M”-shaped marking on their white heads, which ladybugs do not.
- Size: Asian lady beetles are slightly larger than ladybugs.
How do I get rid of bugs that look like ladybugs?
Diatomaceous earth is an effective way to kill ladybugs before they can enter your garden. Wear goggles and a face mask, and generously spread the diatomaceous earth around each garden bed. You can also sprinkle diatomaceous earth around the outside of your house to prevent ladybugs getting inside.
Are there other bugs that look like ladybugs?
There are actually some other bugs or beetles that look like ladybugs but aren’t classified as ladybugs. Some of these fake ladybugs are the clerid beetle, scarlet lily beetle, and Colorado potato beetle. There are over 6,000 species of ladybugs (ladybirds) worldwide. There are about 150 species of ladybugs in the United States.
What bugs are mistaken for ladybugs?
Several species of bugs are often mistaken for ladybugs. These include the convergent lady beetle, two-spotted lady beetle, and Asian lady beetle. The convergent lady beetle, native to North America, has an orange and black pattern on its back, but with two white or yellow spots. Its antennae are longer than those of the ladybug.
Do ladybugs look like Asian beetles?
But the ladybug’s nonnative look-alike, the Asian multicolored lady beetle, has a bad reputation. They’re the bothersome creatures that nudge their way into the warmth of your home during winter. Look for distinctive markings to help you tell the difference between a ladybug vs an Asian beetle. Learn how to get rid of stink bugs.