Asian Lady Beetles 

 Adult multicolored Asian lady beetles were first observed in Pennsylvania during the fall of 1993. Large numbers of them can be found congregating on windows, doors sills, and porch decks. These beetles can become a nuisance when they inundate homes from September through April. The greatest issue caused by the multicolored Asian lady beetle is the discomfort they give to homeowners with their presence. It is not unheard of for tens of thousands of beetles to congregate in attics, ceilings and wall voids, and due to the warmth of the walls, will move around inside these voids and exit into the living areas of the home. In addition to beetles biting (which they can and will), they will exude a foul-smelling, yellow defensive chemical which will sometimes cause spotting on walls and other surfaces. Most people are only annoyed by the odor of these chemicals. However, some individuals have reported experiencing an allergic reaction to the defensive excretions.  

 Conversely, native ladybugs primarily eat aphids. They do not bite, and they don’t seek shelter in warm places over the winter. This type of ladybug is collected and sold as a natural pest control for gardeners. The most common species of native ladybug, the convergent lady beetle has 13 or fewer spots on the bright reddish-orange or red forewings. The convergent lady beetle has two white lines that meet or converge behind the head, giving the insect its name. The Asian lady beetle can have many spot patterns. It varies in color from yellow to red-orange or even black, but it always has lines that curve inward to form an M or W shaped pattern behind its head.