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People tend to see similarities between the fun-loving ladybug and the Asian beetle, one of North America’s most damaging insects.
The Asian Beetle has been around for more than a century and has caused a lot of damage, but now there are some measures being taken to stop its spread.
This article creates a battle-like comparison between the ladybugs and the Asian Beetles.
Ladybugs Vs Asian Beetles, discussing how Asian beetles differ from ladybugs and how they affect humans and the environment.
About LadyBugs
Coccinellidae is the botanical name for the world-renowned ladybug. It is a widespread family of small beetles ranging from 0.8 to 18 mm.
They are commonly known as ladybugs in North America and ladybirds in Great Britain and other parts of the English-speaking world.
There are about 5,000 ladybugs worldwide, and these appear in different species, patterns, and colors.
The seven-spotted ladybird in North America is the most familiar with its shiny, red-black body. Ladybugs are considered lucky in many cultures.
People, especially children, are drawn to ladybugs because of their beauty, grace, and harmlessness to humans. Farmers, however, love them because they eat aphids and other plant-eating pests.
One ladybug can clear 5,000 insects in its lifetime. Most ladybugs have oval-shaped bodies with six short legs. Depending on their species, they may have spots, stripes, or no markings.
About Asian Beetles
Harmonia axyridis, commonly known as harlequin, is the botanical name for the multicolored Asian ladybird or large coccinellid beetle.
It forms one of the most variable species in the world with an extremely wide range of color forms.
The Asian ladybird is native to East Asia and was released in the United States years ago to help control pecan aphids.
However, many scientists believe the release was unsuccessful and that the current multicolored Asian ladybirds were introduced from an Asian freighter in New Orleans.
Nevertheless, farmers are happy to have them and consider them one of many useful insects. Asian ladybirds and our native ladybirds feed on aphids and other soft-bodied insects that damage plants and crops.
Ladybugs Vs Asian Beetles | Comparison
Ladybugs are small, oval-shaped beetles that have a spot on each wing. Asian beetles are larger and have shiny black bodies with no spots on their wings.
Asian beetles also have a different shape than ladybugs; they look more like an ant or grasshopper than ladybug does.
Ladybugs live in groups called swarms with other female insects looking for mates. They eat aphids and mites that may damage plants or crops such as cucumbers and potatoes growing in greenhouses during winter months when temperatures drop below freezing point (0°C).
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Ladybugs Vs Asian Beetles | Differences
Appearance
There are some differences between the two insects. Asian beetles have a yellow head, thorax, and abdomen, while ladybugs have red tops and white bottoms.
The Asian beetle is larger than a typical ladybug, with an average length of 3 cm (1.2 inches) compared to 1.5 inches for its smaller counterpart.
Asian beetles also have large antennae that are black or gray in coloration, while those of ladybugs tend to be about half as long as their bodies and somewhat thicker at one end.
This occurs when they attach themselves onto surfaces like walls or ceilings during hibernation season when temperatures drop below freezing levels outside your home or business premises.
This allows them time away from predators such as spiders who might try eating them during these cold months if they were left unprotected inside an enclosed space without proper ventilation systems before moving into other nearby areas, such as basements under buildings, etcetera.
Behavior
Ladybugs are beneficial to humans as they eat aphids and other pests that can be harmful. Asian beetles are not beneficial to humans, as their main purpose is to feed on plants or wood.
Asian beetles are attracted to dark places, while ladybugs are attracted to light. This could lead you to believe that they don’t like each other.
Still, in reality, it’s just a matter of preference: Asian beetles prefer dark spots while ladybugs prefer bright ones, so if one wants a food source, then it will choose where there isn’t any light rather than spend time looking for something that might not even exist.
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Reproduction
Ladybug reproduction is different from that of the Asian beetle in that ladybugs lay their eggs on the underside of leaves.
In contrast to the Asian beetles’ social lifestyle, ladybugs are not social insects and do not live in colonies like the other species.
Instead, they spend their entire lives as solitary individuals unless they encounter another female who has already laid her eggs.
They always try to mate with each other and produce offspring together as long as there isn’t any competition.
Flight Patterns
The Asian beetle is an insect with a flight pattern that makes it easy to spot. This type of beetle flies during the day and can be found in large numbers, especially in homes where they feed on stored grain.
Ladybugs have a different pattern than these insects; they fly at night and rest during the day.
Effect On Humans & Environment
In a situation where an Asian beetle has found its way into your home, it is important to know that they are not poisonous and can’t bite humans. However, they do have a sting that will cause itching and swelling if the insect touches them.
If you suspect that you’ve been bitten by an Asian beetle or found one in your home, wash the affected area with soap and water as soon as possible.
As for ladybugs, there is no need to worry about them biting or stinging anyone! These insects are very timid creatures who only attack when they feel threatened.
Therefore, they won’t harm anyone unless provoked into doing so by being stepped on.
Conclusion
Ladybugs and Asian Beetles play an important role in farms concerning pollination and chasing away pests.
In comparing these ladybugs vs. Asian beetles, we highlighted the differences and pleasantness of these insects and their impact on humans.
Did you learn something?
