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IPM Scouting in Woody Landscape Plants

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Lady beetles
IPM scouting in woody landscape plants > beetles > lady beetles
Lady beetles (both larvae and adults) are important predators of a number of soft-bodied insects and mites, including aphids, scales, and mealybugs. Lady beetle adults found in Michigan range in size from about 1 1/2 mm long for some of the small black lady beetles that feed on scales and spider mites to 4 to 8 mm for the more familiar orange or red lady beetles.

The multicolored Asian lady beetle, imported as early as 1916 for biological control of certain pest insects, has more recently earned a reputation as a ‘pest’ itself due to its tendency to overwinter in homes and other buildings. It is a prolific insect feeder during the growing season, and may be displacing native lady beetles.

The twice-stabbed lady beetle, Chilocorus kuwanae (not shown) is small and black with two red spots. The larva is black and spiny. It was imported from Korea as a biological control for euonymus scale, and is widely established in the United States.

Lady beetle adults can be recognized by their broadly oval to nearly round shape, and short, clubbed anten-nae. Leaf beetles, which are plant feeders, have longer antennae without a club at the end. See references for more detailed information.
Adults and pupa of Hyperaspis binotata Adults and pupa of Hyperaspis binotata. These lady beetles were found feeding on magnolia scale. The larvae of these lady beetles and some others have waxy white coverings, which cause them to resemble mealybugs. These lady beetles are small; <4mm long. Lady beetles in related genera may feed on scales, adelgids, mites, aphids and/or mealybugs.
Multicolored Asian lady beetle larva. Adult lady beetle Adult multicolored Asian lady beetle feeding on European elm scale. Larva and pupa of convergent lady beetle
Multicolored Asian lady beetle larva. Adult Coccinella sp. These lady beetles feed on aphids. Adult multicolored Asian lady beetle feeding on European elm scale. Larva and pupa of convergent lady beetle (Hippodamia onvergens) in aphid colony.

Additional information
This information was developed from A Pocket IPM Scouting Guide for Woody Landscape Plants by Diane Brown-Rytlewski. Purchase this in a pocket-sized guide for reference in the orchard from MSU Extension (publication E-2839).
The MSU IPM Program maintains this site as an access point to pest management information at MSU. The IPM Program is administered within the Department of Entomology, fueled by research from the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station, delivered to citizens through MSU Extension, and proud to be a part of Project GREEEN.
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Updated 7/11/07