You forgot the picture.

Doh!

Looks to me like a Lady Beetle.

Here is a link that might be useful: Lady Beetles

That's what I thought. The reason why I asked is because I had just seen a few that were a different red with no black markings AND the black markings in the pic aren't dots.

With so many pests looking like good guys and vice versa AND my very poor I.D. skills, I felt I needed to confirm. Thanks kimmsr.

Kevin

Many difffernet kinds of lady beetles exist, All different colors and patterns and varying number of dots, or not.

Jean:

Is there a general rule that I can use to identify them from possible pests or is the old adage, "if it looks like a ladybug, it's a ladybug," enough in this case?

Kevin

This post was edited by woohooman on Wed, Jun 12, 13 at 22:30

If it looks like a ladybug, but you're not sure, then simply observe its behavior for a short time. Ladybugs will be actively feeding on insect eggs, aphids, whitefly nymphs, young scale, etc.

There are some other insects out there which look very much like ladybugs (Mexican bean beetles and squash beetles, for example), but they will both be associated with plant damage.

Here's a Google images collection for you to look over. I see that there are some (speaking of bean and squash beetles) imposters amongst the photographs, lol. Can you spot them?

Here is a link that might be useful: Click here for some information

LOL... NO! Why do you think I ask YOU Guys/gals?

Any particular feature(s) I should use to tell the difference? So, the "other" beetles would be actively chewing on foliage?

Btw, thanks rhizo1.

Kevin

whoohooman: ...is the old adage, "if it looks like a ladybug, it's a ladybug," enough in this case?

Ladybugs don't bite humans, while "ladybugs" that are actually multicolored Asian ladybeetles (Harmonia axyridis) will. Google "biting ladybugs" to see how they've been giving real ladybugs a bad rap. Bite doesn't hurt much, though can leave a mark. Would probably "disappoint" a young child - so good to know the difference. I don't "play" with them anymore if they look at all orange. Oh... and if you happen to smash one that's biting you, they stink.

Keep in mind that the Mexican Bean Beetle is a member of the Lady Beetle family and recently I have read of another member of that family that is now considered a pest, not a beneficial.

bostedo:

LOL... so, I have to goad a bug to bite me to find out if I should leave it alone or not. Nice to know. ;)

Thanks kimmsr.

Does anybody ever get this occurrence? I sprayed soap twice in the last week for aphids and whitefly, but then the next day I see a bunch of ladybugs foraging in the garden??

They were here earlier this spring, but then I think they had their fill and then went to the neighbors.

I thought this to be odd.

Kevin