Species guide
Asian lady beetle
Nuisance, not harmfulHarmonia axyridis
How to recognise it
A ladybug-type beetle, variable orange to red with anywhere from no spots to many. The reliable mark is a black 'M' (or 'W') shape on the white shield behind the head.
Is it dangerous?
Can deliver a mild nip and secretes a smelly, staining yellow fluid when disturbed. It swarms into homes to overwinter in autumn.
Commonly confused with
- Native ladybugs — lack the black 'M' marking
What to do
Vacuum gently (a stocking over the nozzle lets you release them outside) and seal gaps.
Recorded 963,009 times in the wild worldwide.
Think you've spotted one?
Photograph it and let SpecieSense confirm the species — and show you the reasoning.
Identify a specimen