Asian Lady Beetles

The paragraphs below are copied from Here:
http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2000/001030.beetlefacts.htm

here's another good site:
http://www.uwgb.edu/biodiversity/news/photo_ofthe_week/pow20001015textb.htm

"""""
Pat Mitchell
pattm@execpc.com
zone 5 - SE WIsconsin - too much rain, not enough sun!


Mixed Blessing

                               This variably colored and spotted lady
beetle
                               is an effective, natural control for
harmful
                               plant pests such as aphids, scale and
other
                               soft-bodied arthropods. Still, its
tendency to
                               overwinter in homes and other buildings,
                               sometimes in large numbers, may make them
                               a nuisance to many persons.

                               If agitated or squashed, the beetles may
                               exhibit a defensive reaction known as
“reflex
                               bleeding,” in which a yellow fluid with
an
                               unpleasant odor is released from leg
joints.
                               This reaction generally prevents
predators,
                               such a birds, from eating lady beetles.
But in
                               the home, the fluid may stain walls and
                               fabrics. 

                               Multicolored Asian lady beetles have
become
                               a problem in some regions of the United
                               States. It is probable that their
introduction
                               into new habitats in the United States
freed
                               these lady beetles from some natural
                               population checks and balances that occur
                               within their native Asian range. It is
likely
                               that these natural controls will catch up
to
                               the lady beetles in time and curtail
their
                               booming population. Additionally, a
period of
                               time may be required for checks and
                               balances of our native lady beetles to
adapt
                               to this newcomer. 

                               Multicolored Asian lady beetles are
beneficial
                               insects. Their natural control of aphids
in
                               pecan orchards has decreased insecticide
use
                               against those pests. Additionally, they
have
                               controlled aphids on some ornamental
plants.
                               Still, these lady beetles are unwelcome
                               guests for many homeowners. 
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