Old October-7th-2003, 02:22 PM   #1
Chris D
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Dang Asian beetles!

Here in the upper Midwest, we have been plagued with the Asian lady beetle.

It looks like a faded ladybug, and for the last six years or so, they have come out in force at this time of year. From what I understand, they were imported in yet another misguided attempt at pest control. I don't know what pest could be worse than these things.

The air is thick with them! They are nasty, and they bite, hard. When they die, they give off a terrible stench.

Any other areas afflicted? They make me yearn for the Big Freeze, and not much else can.

Last edited by Chris D; October-7th-2003 at 03:04 PM.
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Old October-7th-2003, 02:38 PM   #2
Pete C
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Are they longhorns?

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Old October-7th-2003, 03:01 PM   #3
Chris D
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No, Pete. Those are actually more troubling and do real damage.

This Ohio Extension link has all the info on these nasty creatures.

Here's a salient excerpt:

In spite of their important role in nature, multicolored Asian lady beetles can be seasonal pests in and around homes, particularly from late autumn until early spring.

Nuisances. Homeowners often express concern and aggravation with these nuisance pests. During late autumn, homeowners complain that multicolored Asian lady beetles cluster on the sides of houses; "crunch" under foot; get into food and drinks; alight on hands, arms, and other parts of the body; and sometimes enter the ears and mouth. The lady beetles can be so numerous that they appear to be "raining" outdoors or swarming like bees. A variety of other problems are associated with these lady beetles, as detailed below.

Home Invasion. Unlike our native species of lady beetles, the multicolored Asian lady beetle seeks protected hibernation (overwintering) sites in and around buildings. They may occur in any type of structure. Because these exotic lady beetles readily occur on trees, homes in forested areas are often infested. Multicolored Asian lady beetles often are pests in log homes, because they can slip through the cracks and crevices between the logs.

Multicolored Asian lady beetles seek protected sites where they can hibernate. Some may overwinter underneath siding, roof shingles, landscaping timbers, or leaf litter. Others readily slip through cracks and crevices and come indoors, where they make themselves at home. They may cluster together in corners of porches, attics, soffits, wall voids, door or window frames, or dark, undisturbed areas within buildings. The beetles can form large, hidden aggregations in secluded dark locations inside homes, commonly in attics and basements. They periodically invade living spaces, apparently in response to the warm interior temperatures. On warm sunny days during the winter, they tend to move about and fly within living spaces. They readily fly to windows. During the spring, these lady beetles are particularly noticeable in houses when they leave their hibernation sites and attempt to make their way outdoors.

Stains and Odor. When lady beetles are disturbed, they defend themselves by exuding a yellow-orange body fluid, which is their blood. This defense mechanism is termed reflex bleeding. The blood has a foul odor and can permanently stain walls, drapes, carpeting, etc. Thus, do not crush or swat lady beetles so as to minimize their defensive behavior.

"Bites." Although an uncommon occurrence, multicolored Asian lady beetles have been reported to nibble, nip, or "bite" humans. These lady beetles are not aggressive toward humans, and they simply may be examining an unfamiliar substrate or they may be seeking moisture. Their occasional nibbling is not reported to break the skin or draw human blood.

Allergic Reactions. Some individuals report an allergenic response to lady beetles. Although published reports are uncommon, multicolored Asian lady beetles apparently can cause inhalant allergies. These allergies clear up once the lady beetles are removed.

Some people are sensitive or allergic to the fluid that lady beetles secrete, which can cause contact dermatitis and a stinging sensation. However, lady beetles cannot sting, because they do not possess a stinger.


Dispelling Myths and Misconceptions

No releases of the multicolored Asian lady beetle were made by The Ohio State University. This lady beetle species was not released to feed wild turkeys or other wildlife.

Multicolored Asian lady beetles do not breed (reproduce) in structures. Females apparently overwinter unmated. Mating occurs during the spring after males and females leave their hibernation sites.

Multicolored Asian lady beetles do not carry disease organisms. They do not eat wood, building materials, or human food. In fact, multicolored Asian lady beetles do not consume food while overwintering, but instead rely on their stores of body fat. Otherwise, they eat aphids and other soft-bodied insects.


Last edited by Chris D; October-7th-2003 at 03:04 PM.
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Old October-7th-2003, 03:07 PM   #4
Pete C
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Quote:
Originally posted by Chris D
Asian lady beetles
No Yoko Ono jokes!
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Old October-7th-2003, 09:32 PM   #5
Dennis Gonzalez
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We in Dallas love our bugs...
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Old October-8th-2003, 12:07 AM   #6
Scott Dolan
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Did someone say Love Bug?

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Old October-8th-2003, 11:38 AM   #7
Chris D
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The literature says "although an uncommon occurrence," the bugs are known to "bite."

Well, I must be uncommon, because those things chomp me every chance they get. They leave a little burning sensation behind, and a little itch.

They also hitchhike inside on any clothing.
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Old October-8th-2003, 12:58 PM   #8
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We're getting pelted by huge numbers of these motherf**kers. Our office building is covered with them. I'm on the 3rd floor and they're all over the south side of the building. It's ridiculous and totally out of control.

Larry
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Old October-8th-2003, 04:17 PM   #9
stonemonkts
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It's much warmer here today, so lo and behold, these bugs are all over the house (outside so far) and throughout the air. I wanted to mow but I can't with these friggin things blowing into my face.

Another ecological mishap wrought by the Republicans, no doubt.

It was so nice and cool before today. Bugless.

One of the reasons I love cold weather.
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Old October-9th-2003, 05:42 PM   #10
Chris D
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Read today that these things were imported to fight aphids.
The aphid crop was good this year.
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Old October-9th-2003, 06:13 PM   #11
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Bugless.

One of the reasons I love cold weather.



Amen to that, brother.
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