Asian Lady Beetle

Harmonia axyridis is a lady beetle or ladybird species that is most commonly known as the harlequin, Asian, or multicoloured Asian lady beetle. This is one of the most variable lady beetle species in the world, with an exceptionally wide range of colour forms. It is native to eastern Asia, and has been artificially introduced to North America and Europe to control aphids and scale insects. It is now common, well known, and spreading in those regions, and has also established in Africa and widely across South America. Scientific Name: Harmonia axyridis Range: Native to E. Asia; invasive across Europe, N. America, S. America Size: 5–8 mm Status: Invasive ID Notes: Highly variable — yellow to red with 0–22 black spots. Distinctive black 'M' or 'W' marking on white pronotum. Behavior / Notes: Voracious aphid predator but displaces native ladybugs and aggregates indoors in fall — the 'Halloween beetle'.