Asian Lady Beetles: What You Need to Know

Written by Venkat S.R.
Medically Reviewed by Jabeen Begum, MD on May 06, 2025
5 min read

The Asian lady beetle, or Harmonia axyridis, is a type of ladybug that was imported from Asia to the U.S. to control the spread of garden pests, such as scale insects, aphids, and mites. But they can become a problem themselves, especially from September through April. They may swarm on homes and other buildings, land on people during outdoor events, and even find their way indoors.

These common beetles look a lot like domestic ladybugs, but they’re not the same.

How to identify an Asian lady beetle

While native ladybugs are true red, Asian lady beetles come in a variety of colors, including red, yellow, orange, and, rarely, black.

Asian lady beetles have oval bodies, in contrast to the round shape of domestic ladybugs. They’re also slightly bigger, with roughly one-third of an inch in length. Most, but not all, Asian lady beetles have black spots on their wing covers (called elytra).

A distinct feature of the multicolored Asian ladybug is the black mark shaped like an “M”or “W” (depending on which way you look at it) in the white area between the head and the thorax. While this marking is more noticeable on some beetles than on others, it’s a surefire way to spot this insect.

Asian lady beetle life cycle

The Asian lady beetle life cycle consists of four stages:

Egg. Eggs are generally yellow and oval-shaped. Adult lady beetles look for safe areas, such as the undersides of leaves, to lay eggs. Lady beetles lay eggs in clusters of 20 around colonies of aphids and other soft-bodied insects to provide the young ones with a ready food source once they hatch. Eggs hatch after an incubation period of three to five days.

Larva. Once the eggs hatch, the larval stage lasts for roughly 10 days, after which they enter the pupal stage. Larvae are usually black and orange and look something like tiny alligators. They spend most of their time on the plants where they hatch, with plenty of food around to help them survive.

Pupa. The pupal stage of Asian lady beetles lasts around five days. In this stage, the beetles are covered in a cocoon and can’t move.

Adult. The lifespan of an adult Asian lady beetle can be anywhere between a month and three years, but most adult beetles live for one to three months. Larval and adult Asian lady beetles can eat hundreds of aphids in a single day.

In their native regions of Eastern Asia, these beetles are tree-dwelling creatures. They’re found in forests and orchards in China, Japan, Korea, and Russia, and are a common sight in soybean fields. From the 1960s to the 1990s, the U.S. Department of Agriculture released Asian lady beetles in several states to control the population of agricultural pests. But some researchers think many Asian lady beetles now infesting the U.S. originated from bugs accidentally transported on freighter ships. 

Asian lady beetles can be found in most states in the U.S. They dwell in fields, forests, and crops such as roses, corn, soybeans, and tobacco. They’re also found in yards and gardens in more urban areas.

They seek shelter in fall and winter to protect themselves from cold temperatures. Some studies indicate that these beetles tend to move toward well-lighted places. They’re more likely to land on the southwest sides of buildings where the rays of the afternoon sun fall. They can get into attics, eaves, and living spaces through very small cracks.

Asian lady beetles aren’t dangerous to people or pets. There have been rare reports of Asian lady beetles biting when people pick them up with their bare hands. But the bites aren’t serious, don’t spread diseases, and can be avoided by wearing gloves. 

These beetles can be a real nuisance, though, especially when they move indoors in large numbers. The strong-smelling liquid they release when they’re disturbed can leave odors and stains on upholstery and furniture. Some people also have allergic reactions when they’re exposed to dead lady beetles.

That said, Asian lady beetles don’t breed, lay eggs, or feed indoors. And they don’t pose any structural threats to your home.

Are Asian lady beetles invasive?

They’re considered an invasive species in some parts of the world for several reasons:

  • They compete with native ladybugs for food.
  • They’re resistant to diseases that can kill native ladybugs.
  • They have few natural enemies and can repel predators with the bad-smelling liquid they give off.

Preventing these bugs from entering your house is the best way to avoid infestations. That’s not easy, as they can enter spaces as small as 1/8 of an inch. 

Here are some tips to prevent Asian lady beetles from getting inside:

  • Check that your windows and doors fit tightly, and have them repaired if they don’t.
  • Repair or replace damaged window screens.
  • Remove window unit air conditioners when they’re not being used.
  • Look for openings or gaps in siding and roof boards and utility access points. You may be able to fill in cracks using sealants such as silicone, latex, or acrylic caulks. 
  • Consider screening your attic vents.

Natural ways to get rid of Asian lady beetles

If you see Asian lady beetles in your home, the best way to remove them is with a vacuum cleaner. Change the bag or empty the canister afterward to keep the bugs from escaping. 

You can also use a broom to sweep them up, but they may release a bad-smelling fluid that can cause staining. 

Should you use insecticides for Asian lady beetles?

While you can use insecticides to get rid of them, most experts don’t recommend this. These beetles don’t pose a threat to you or your home, and insecticides may work too slowly to be effective. Asian lady beetles usually don’t live long indoors. Insecticides may also leave residues on counters, walls, and other household surfaces.

Should Asian lady beetles be killed?

There’s no real reason to kill Asian lady beetles. They eat other bugs that damage crops, gardens, and lawns. They’re not harmful to humans or pets, and they can’t do any structural damage to your home.

What happens if an Asian lady beetle bites me?

While an Asian lady beetle bite can cause minor discomfort, it should go away quickly. They can’t sting or cause serious injury, and they don’t carry diseases. You can put antiseptic on a bite if you like, but it’s not necessary. To prevent bites, wear gloves when handling Asian lady beetles.

What to do if you find an Asian lady beetle?

If you see Asian lady beetles indoors, the best way to remove them is with a vacuum cleaner. You could also sweep them up with a broom and dustpan, but they may release a bad-smelling fluid that can also leave stains. Empty the vacuum canister or replace the bag quickly outdoors so the bugs won’t escape.