TERRE HAUTE — Large numbers of multicolored Asian lady beetles are making their presence known. This growing season, the weather was ideal for large numbers of soybean aphids to develop and multiply and the beetle population parallels the growth of the aphid population because that’s one of its favorite foods.
Unlike regular ladybugs, the multicolored Asian lady beetle is fairly large. Adults are roundish, one-quarter inch long, yellowish to orange to red beetles with zero to 19 black spots on the back. Originally introduced to control scale insects and aphids on ornamental plants in the southeastern United States, they have greatly expanded their habitat. They provide natural biological control of scale and aphids. This provides both economic and environmental benefit to food production by reducing insecticide applications.
University of Illinois Extension entomologist Phil Nixon notes that “Multicolored Asian lady beetle larvae feed on soft-bodied insects such as aphids and scale on trees, shrubs, and low-lying plants. When soybean aphids are numerous, very large numbers of these lady beetles are produced. Fully-grown larvae are about one-quarter-inch long and look like tiny, black alligators with a yellow to orangeish band across the middle of the body. They pupate on plants and later emerge as adults.”
Fall is when the problems for the general populace begin. In their native Japan, the beetle overwinters as an adult in cracks and crevices of cliffs and rocks. As far as the beetle is concerned, your home looks like a big cliff and a great place to overwinter. The beetles also bite and emit a strong, disagreeable odor if disturbed.
Adult lady beetles are primarily managed by caulking exterior cracks and crevices, particularly around windows and corners of the building, both corners that jut out and those that are recessed. Beetles indoors can be vacuumed and disposed of outdoors. Using a shop vacuum is easier for this purpose because it cleans out easily, and they can be smelly.
For more information, contact Suzanne Bissonnette at sbissonn@illinois.edu or at (217) 333-4901.
Valley Life
Large numbers of beetles swarming this fall
- Valley Life
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Terre Haute museums keeping history alive
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ANNIVERSARIES: Feb. 12, 2012
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Learn brief history of Social Security at Brown Bag
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Dear My Fellow Hoosiers,
Why do you litter? When I moved here in April 2007 there were two things that I noticed right away about the Wabash Valley. -
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Greene’s Goose Pond offers Marsh Madness, March 2-4
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WEDDINGS: Feb. 12, 2012
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ENGAGEMENTS: Feb. 12, 2012
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VIDEO: On the Banks of the Wabash far away …
Paul Dresser left Terre Haute a niche in history.
Opportunism, squabbling and fading memories gradually washed that gift away, like the unending flow of the Wabash River he immortalized in song.
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Genealogy Society offers free forum
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PAW PRINTS: Want to adopt a pit bull? Here are some helpful hints
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Purdue Extension to offer diabetes cooking school
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Pepsi Community Caps Program to benefit charities
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Serve as 4-H judge, volunteer
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BRIDGE COLUMN : Feb. 5, 2012
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Tried 'n' True: Upside Down Pizza calls for crescent rolls
When our boys were young, we went every Sunday evening for pizza in Charleston, Ill. When they got to be older and they were working on the farm, I would make pizza from scratch.
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Extension to offer basic food preservation workshops
Purdue University Extension will be offering basic food preservation workshops at Clabber Girl Culinary Classroom in Terre Haute. Two sessions will offer different methods.
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GRAPE SENSE: Trips open my eyes to new wines in new regions
The wine industry spends a lot of money worldwide to promote brands, regions, and wine tourism. One of the many ways the wine industry invests is press trips.
Depending on when you read this column, I’m either in France or just returned from a press trip.
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Clay Habitat plans open house
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Born to perform: Terre Haute South senior to sing in Carnegie Hall
Soon, the domed ceiling of Carnegie Hall and the archway in the Hayes family kitchen will share a special connection.
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8th District Rep. Bucshon visits CASA volunteers
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Paw Prints: Animal protection law ranking hits home
The Humane Society of the United States released the 2011 “Humane State Ranking” of all 50 states and Washington D.C.
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Tried 'n' True: Here's a recipe for all you chocolate lovers
This recipe is for all you chocolate lovers.
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Soybean farmers build state fair building
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Sign up now for Rockville Public Library’s ebook class
Rockville Public Library will have free demonstrations on how to use ebook readers with its downloadable ebook service, Overdrive.
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Sullivan Foundation looking for Volunteer of Year
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