Biting "lady bugs" now in Texas....really?

11 years ago

I was stunned today when a "lady bug" bit me as I was watching it climb up the inside of my arm. Web search showed it was actually a multicolored Asian lady beetle (harmonia axyridis) which has been spreading around N. America since naturalizing here in the late 1980s. I had no idea these things were in north Texas. Very, very similar to lady bugs in shape, size, and pattern... possibly a bit more orange. Did I miss the news?

The bite left a mark, but pain was less than a fly bite. However, it would be an unpleasant experience for a child, especially one who thought they were playing with a lady bug (like me, I suppose), so just wanted to mention it for others who may also be unaware.

Here is a link that might be useful: Harmonia axyridis on wikipedia

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Comments (7)

phoenix7801
11 years ago
Maybe he though you were an aphid
rock_oak_deer
11 years ago
That's not good news, the bugs do control aphids but if they multiply they can invade your house by the thousands. It happened to us in Alabama and it was horrible.

They stink, literally.
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Original Author
11 years ago
@ pheonix7801: Maybe he thought you were an aphid
While there may be some resemblance, I'm guessing I was just the available meal pretty far down its list of preferences.... I want to believe they're much less likely to bite humans once their more preferred foods are back in abundance.

@rock_oak_deer: They stink, literally.
Lovely.... glad I didn't swat the little beast.
Corkelcol
11 years ago
When I lived in a small town near Midland, Michigan I learned that Midland was the sister city to Okinawa, Japan. I think it was Okinawa. Anyway, they sent the beetles to Midland to help with the problems they were having with aphids eating their corn and say bean crops. Turned out to be a bad idea. These little orange bettles were in masses in barns and garages. They bite! It's not pleasant and I'm bummed to find they've come down here. When I see one in my yard, I squash it. The only ones I want are the red and black spotted ones. I'm just north of San Antonio in Spring Branch...yep, theyyyy'reeee heeere.
lou_texas
11 years ago
The orange ones are in my yard too. I didn't know they bite, but I'll let my grandsons know. We moved two adults and several larvae to the one rose bush that had a sprig with aphids (Spice). Now that I know the rest of the story, I think I'd rather deal with the aphids. Thanks for the warning. Lou
Christian
11 years ago
with the aphid problems I had last year, let them come to my yard!
glitter_and_guns
11 years ago
OH NO! I recently moved back to Texas from Ohio and Lady Bird Beetles are TERRIBLE!!!! They will invade your house and cover your windows and lights. We used to scoop them off the windows into zip lock bags and freeze them to kill them. I threw away a vac cleaner because I didn't realize how bad they smelled and used the vac to get rid of them (learn from my fail).

As to the biting, they really more "pinch" and it isn't so bad. Compared to Texas bugs, they hardly feel bad at all! And despite having thousands (millions?!?!) at my house, a pinch was very very rare.