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They are reddish with black spots and fly high at this time of year.
We are talking about ladybirds.
There are about 6,000 species of ladybugs worldwide. About 166 of them have been identified in Canada, and not all of them are native.
In Canada, the native species are rather docile and feed on pests such as crop-damaging aphids.
One way to distinguish native from non-native species is to look at their colour and markings, Christine Noronha, a scientist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, tells The Weather Network.
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Invasive Asian ladybirds (left) have an “M” pattern on the back of their heads, while native species (red) do not. Ladybirds. (Andreas Trepte/Zachi Evenor/Wikipedia)
Native ladybugs are red with black spots. The multi-colored Asian ladybug, which as its name suggests is not native, can range from light brown to yellow and orange to red.
Another distinguishing feature is the back of the Asian ladybird’s head, which has a black “M.” Their body is also slightly longer and more oval, while native ladybirds are rounder.
This non-native species is aggressive and tends to take over habitats and displace native species. Unlike native species, they also bite.
“It’s like a pinch,” says Noronha, “but they can injure the skin.”
Asian ladybirds (pictured here) range in color from light brown to yellow and orange to brown. Graphic created by Cheryl Santa Maria. Image courtesy of: Andreas Trepte/Wikipedia
Find them in your home
If you discover ladybugs in your home, there is no great cause for concern.
“They won’t breed in your house or do anything else,” says Noronha.
In other words, they don’t chew holes in your wood or clothing, and they don’t spread disease. However, they do have a disturbing trick in the living room.
This is called “reflex bleeding.” When in danger, the joints bleed, releasing a substance that, according to Noronha, “smells very bad” and can leave stains.
If you find a few Asian ladybugs in your home, be sure to wipe down the area once they are gone.
Unlike other insects that only live for a few weeks, this species can live up to three years. When it finds a place it likes, it leaves a pheromone behind so it can come back the next year.
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Editor’s note: This article was originally published in 2021.
Header image courtesy of Justin Lauria/Unsplash.
