Subject: Larva of Multicolored Asian Lady Beetle, Harmonia axyridis

Location: Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge, West Virginia

Stock Number: 06-26153 above, and 06-26157 below

Comment: This species was introduced into the United States as an agent of agricultural pest control in 1979. Within a dozen years or so it was established in four Deep South states; today it is found in a majority of the states.

The bane of many a householder, this species invades houses in the fall looking for likely overwintering sites in the walls. On warm days in early spring the beetles swarm into the public areas of the house, dropping uninvited into cups of coffee, and leaving little orange dots on the walls and ceilings.

In at least one sense the introduction was a success: the beetles do eat a great many pests of crops and greenhouse plants.

Most alarming however, is their seeming displacement of native Lady Bugs. In many areas it has become an uncommon event to see any Lady Bug species other than Harmonia axyridis.