# Asian Lady Beetle

*Harmonia axyridis*

This species is highly polymorphic, meaning individuals can have anywhere from zero to twenty-two spots and vary from pale orange to deep black.

- **Taxonomy:** Animalia › Arthropoda › Insecta › Coleoptera › Coccinellidae › Harmonia
- **IUCN Red List status:** Least Concern
- **Population trend:** increasing
- **Biome:** urban
- **Habitat:** Found in a wide variety of environments including forests, agricultural fields, meadows, and urban gardens.
- **Diet:** Predatory; primarily feeds on aphids, scale insects, and other soft-bodied agricultural pests.
- **Range:** North America, Europe, Asia, South America, Africa
- **Size:** 5-8 mm in length
- **Lifespan:** 1-2 years
- **Active:** diurnal
- **Threats:** Widespread use of broad-spectrum pesticides, though they are highly resilient and often outcompete native species.
- **Safe to approach?:** Harmless but defensive. Safe to observe from any distance. If handled, they may deliver a tiny, pinch-like bite or release a yellow, foul-smelling fluid (reflex bleeding) that can stain skin and clothes. If contact occurs, wash the area with soap and water; seek medical attention only in the rare event of an allergic reaction.

## About

Harmonia axyridis , most commonly known as the harlequin , multicolored Asian , or simply Asian ladybeetle , is a large coccinellid beetle. This is one of the most variable species in the world, with an exceptionally wide range of color forms. It is native to eastern Asia, but has been artificially introduced to North America and Europe to control aphids and scale insects. It is now common, well known, and spreading in those regions, and has also established in...

## Sources

- Plate: https://gaia-dex.com/species/0e2bbd82-14bc-483b-bc2e-7d19640537dc
- iNaturalist: https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/48484
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harmonia axyridis
- Conservation status: IUCN Red List category, as recorded by Gaia-Dex
- Photo: https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/73842105/medium.jpg (Gilles San Martin, CC-BY-SA, via iNaturalist)

Habitat, diet, size and similar notes are AI-written summaries; check them against the linked sources before relying on them.