Maine is home to a wide variety of ladybugs, ranging from the colorful Harlequin Ladybug to the more recent arrival, the Asian Lady Beetle.
Whether you’re an insect enthusiast or just a nature lover looking for a fun outdoor activity, learning about the different types of ladybugs in Maine is an interesting and rewarding experience.
In this blog post, we’ll explore the unique characteristics of each type of ladybug found in Maine, from the Harlequin to the Asian Lady Beetle.
1. Cardinal Ladybird
Maine is home to various types of ladybugs, each with unique characteristics. One type of ladybug found in Maine is the Cardinal Ladybird (Hippodamia tredecimpunctata).
The types of ladybugs in Maine are easily recognizable by their bright red and black coloring. It has an oval-shaped body can reach up to 8 millimeters in length.
The Cardinal Ladybird is an important part of Maine’s natural ecosystem. It eats aphids and other soft-bodied insects, helping to keep the population of harmful pests under control. It also pollinates plants, providing vital nutrients and energy to the environment.
In the summertime, you may see the Cardinal Ladybird on flowers in your garden or shrubs in your yard. These types of ladybugs in Maine are active during the day and often fly around searching for food.
If you spot one, take a few moments to observe it before it moves on to its next destination!
2. Convergent Lady Beetle
Maine is home to many species of ladybugs, including the Harlequin Lady Beetle, the Two-Spotted Lady Beetle, the Convergent Lady Beetle, and the Asian lady beetle.
The Convergent Lady Beetle is one of Maine’s most common ladybugs. The Convergent Lady Beetle is a reddish-orange color with black stripes across its back.
These ladybugs in Maine typically have four black spots on their wings that can vary in number or shape. It’s fairly small, growing to be only around 5-7mm in length.
The Convergent Lady Beetle feeds on aphids, making it an important natural pest control for farmers and gardeners.
Though it is not as common as it once was, the Convergent Lady Beetle is still a common sight in Maine. If you want to encourage more beneficial insects in your garden or lawn, consider introducing some Convergent Lady Beetles.
These ladybugs in Maine are relatively easy to attract and keep around, and their pest control abilities can help keep your garden healthy and bug-free.
3. Fourteen-Spotted Ladybird Beetle
Maine is home to many species of ladybugs, including the Fourteen-Spotted Ladybird Beetle. This species of ladybug, also known as Propylea quattuordecimpunctata, is one of the most common ladybugs in Maine.
The Fourteen-Spotted Ladybird Beetle has a black body and fourteen spots. These spots are yellow-orange and can vary in size and shape.
Additionally, this ladybug has a pair of black antennae and six black legs. The Fourteen-Spotted Ladybird Beetle can be found throughout Maine.
These types of ladybugs in Maine usually inhabit wooded areas, fields, and gardens.
The Fourteen-Spotted Ladybird Beetle feeds on aphids, small insects that feed on plant sap. By eating these pests, the Fourteen-Spotted Ladybird Beetle helps to protect plants from damage.
In the springtime, the Fourteen-Spotted Ladybird Beetle will lay its eggs in clusters on the underside of leaves.
The larvae of this species are small and black with yellow spots. After about two weeks, the larvae will pupate and emerge as adult Fourteen-Spotted Ladybird Beetles.
The Fourteen-Spotted Ladybird Beetle is important for maintaining a balanced ecosystem in Maine. They are beneficial for gardens and fields, as they help to keep aphid populations in check.
For those interested in learning more about Maine’s different types of ladybugs, the Fourteen-Spotted Ladybird Beetle is a great place to start!
4. Seven-Spotted Ladybug
Maine is home to various types of ladybugs, including the Seven-Spotted Ladybug. The Seven-Spotted Ladybug is easily recognizable by its orange-red color and seven black spots. It is often referred to as the true ladybug and is the most common type in Maine.
The Seven-Spotted Ladybug can be found on cultivated and wild plants, feeding on small insect pests such as aphids.
These ladybugs in Maine also play an important role in pollination by visiting flowers for food and pollen.
In addition to being an important pollinator, the Seven-Spotted Ladybug is also a beneficial predator for gardeners and farmers.
These ladybugs in Maine help reduce populations of harmful insects and thus protect crops from damage. Some farmers release them into their fields to help control pest populations.
The Seven-Spotted Ladybug is an important part of Maine’s ecosystem and helps keep many plants healthy and pest-free. So if you ever see one, give it a friendly hello!
5. Pink-Spotted Lady Beetle
Regarding types of ladybugs in Maine, one of the most common species is the Pink-Spotted Lady Beetle (Coleomegilla maculata).
Found across much of the United States, this species is especially abundant in Maine, where it can be seen from April to October.
The Pink-Spotted Lady Beetle is a small beetle with a distinctive pinkish hue and black spots on its wings. Its head and back are brownish-orange, while its legs and antennae are black.
This species feeds on soft-bodied insects such as aphids, making it a beneficial insect in agriculture.
In addition to its role in pest control, the Pink-Spotted Lady Beetle is also an important part of the ecosystem.
Its bright colors make it a popular subject for photographers and entomologists alike. You may spot one while out and about in Maine if you’re lucky.
6. Two-Spotted Ladybug
One of the most common ladybugs is the Two-Spotted Ladybug (Adalia bipunctata). This type of ladybug can be found throughout the state and is easily recognizable by its black, red, and yellow markings.
The Two-Spotted Ladybug is a small beetle measuring about 4-7mm long.
These ladybugs in Maine have two distinct black spots on their red elytra (wing covers), which give them their name.
The Two-Spotted Ladybug is often found in gardens, meadows, and woodlands, feeding on aphids, mites, and other soft-bodied insects. It’s an important predator of many pest species, benefiting gardeners and farmers.
This ladybug hibernates in sheltered places such as crevices in tree bark or under leaf litter in colder months.
If you encounter one of these beautiful ladybugs in Maine, appreciate its presence! They are a great addition to any outdoor space and help to keep pests at bay.
7. Twenty-Spotted Lady Beetle
Maine is home to many ladybugs, from the common Harlequin to the more exotic Asian Lady Beetle. One of the lesser-known ladybugs found in Maine is the Twenty-Spotted Lady Beetle.
This small insect measures less than 1/4 inch long and features a bright yellow-orange shell with twenty black spots along its back.
The Twenty-Spotted Lady Beetle can be found in many habitats throughout the state, including woods, meadows, and gardens. It feeds on aphids, scales, and other soft-bodied insects.
The female will lay up to 500 eggs during her lifetime, hatching after three to five days into larvae that feed until adulthood.
In addition to its potential to help control pests, the Twenty-Spotted Lady Beetle also serves as an important pollinator.
Its bright colors attract other pollinators, such as bees and butterflies, making it an important part of the ecosystem in Maine.
8. Thirteen-Spot Lady Beetle
Maine is home to various ladybugs, from the Harlequin to the Asian Lady Beetle. One of the more common ladybugs in Maine is the Thirteen-Spot Lady Beetle.
It has a black body with 13 white spots on its wings and is about 5 millimeters in size.
These types of ladybugs in Maine feed on aphids and other insects, helping control pest populations. They can be seen in the spring and summer months when the temperatures are warmer.
While they may not seem like much at first glance, these little ladybugs play an important role in maintaining a healthy ecosystem.
9. Eye-Spotted Lady Beetle
When it comes to types of ladybugs in Maine, one of the most common and eye-catching species is the Eye-Spotted Lady Beetle.
These small insects are brightly colored and known for their distinct, round spots. This beetle’s red and black coloring stands out among other bugs, making them easy to identify.
The Eye-Spotted Lady Beetle is found throughout Maine and is an important part of the state’s ecosystem. They are voracious predators, consuming large amounts of aphids and other soft-bodied pests.
They also feed on pollen and nectar, providing a valuable food source for bees and other pollinators.
This ladybug species is most active in the spring and summer when searching for food and mates. During these times, they can often be seen congregating around flowers or crawling on leaves.
As they reproduce, they will lay eggs in clusters on plants, hatching into larval stages that can consume even more pest species.
Overall, the Eye-Spotted Lady Beetle is an important contributor to Maine’s biodiversity and provides a valuable service by helping to keep pest populations in check.
While they may not be as popular as other ladybugs, they play a vital role in maintaining healthy ecosystems.
10. Three-Banded Lady Beetle
Maine is home to a wide variety of ladybugs, ranging from the small Harlequin Ladybug to the larger Asian Lady Beetle.
One of the most common types of ladybugs is the Three-Banded Lady Beetle. This species is found throughout the state and can be identified by its three black spots on its bright red or yellow wing covers.
The Three-Banded Lady Beetle is a predator of pests like aphids and mites, which makes them beneficial to gardeners and farmers.
These ladybugs in Maine overwinter in sheltered areas, such as dead tree bark and underleaf litter. In the summer, they can be found sunning themselves on plants, searching for food.
Three-banded lady Beetles are generally harmless to humans and can even be picked up without the risk of bites or stings.
If you are looking for a unique way to attract these ladybugs to your garden, try planting nectar-rich flowers, such as daisies and dandelions. Doing so will help ensure a steady food supply for these helpful beetles!
11. Asian Lady Beetle
One type of ladybug in Maine is the Asian Lady Beetle (Harmonia axyridis). This ladybug species is native to Asia but has been accidentally introduced to many parts of the world, including North America and Maine. Its colorful orange-yellow color and distinctive black spots on its back characterize it.
Asian Lady Beetles are typically larger than most other ladybugs, ranging from 5 to 8 millimeters long.
These ladybugs in Maine feed on soft-bodied insects, such as aphids and scales, making them beneficial insects for gardeners.
The Asian Lady Beetle is also known to enter homes during colder months in search of shelter and warmth.
Although they are helpful to humans, they can sometimes be pests in large numbers when they enter homes and buildings.
These ladybugs in Maine tend to release an unpleasant odor when disturbed and can leave yellowish stains on walls and curtains. Additionally, they are known to bite if handled roughly.
Overall, the Asian Lady Beetle is a beneficial insect that helps to control pest populations in Maine gardens and yards.
Despite their nuisance potential, they can be tolerated as long as their numbers are kept in check.
12. Ornate Checkered Beetle
The Ornate Checkered Beetle (Trichodes ornatus) is one of Maine’s many types of ladybugs. This ladybug is black and white with yellow spots on its wings. The Ornate Checkered Beetle is small, typically only measuring up to 8mm long.
Like most other ladybugs, the Ornate Checkered Beetle feeds on aphids, scale insects, and other pests that can cause harm to plants. These beetles can often be found around flowers or near trees and shrubs.
The Ornate Checkered Beetle is one of the many types of ladybugs in Maine that help to protect gardens and farms from pests.
By keeping pest populations low, these beneficial ladybugs can help improve the overall health of your garden or farm.
