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Warmer weather brings out lady beetlesKansas Jeff Whitworth has been hearing a lot about ladies lately. Lady beetles, that is. Whitworth, an entomologist with Kansas State University Research and Extension, said the recent warmer weather has sparked calls from homeowners regarding lady beetles becoming active inside their homes. "This is almost a sure sign that even more spring-like weather is on its way," Whitworth said. "However, in the meantime, these little beetles can be a real nuisance." Several different species of lady beetles make their home in Kansas. All are beneficial, he added, because they can feed voraciously on some of our common pest insects. Depending on the species of pest, lady beetles are often our number one source of control. They are normally solitary insects, which means the only time you find large numbers of lady beetles together is because they all find a quality food source, or they have aggregated at a protective overwintering site. This seems to be the case, in reverse, throughout much of the state. The beetles gathered last fall at potential overwintering sites which in nature would be under tree bark, under fallen trees and in cracks and crevices in rocks. However, many also gather on the south and west side of houses and barns, and other man-made structures because they held warmth longer last fall. As the weather got colder, they moved inside those structures and became relatively inactive, thus going unnoticed by the homeowner, Whitworth said. Once the first warm spring days occur, the lady beetles start to become more and more active. "They don't always remember the way to the outside, so often are trapped in the structure where they actively crawl about trying to find an exit. But, and especially if there are many, they can be a real nuisance," Whitworth said. "In addition, recent reports have indicated an increase in allergic reactions, like asthma, in locations where large concentrations of lady beetles are found inside," he said. The Multicolored Asian Lady Beetle has been the most common culprit identified in recent calls, he said. "All lady beetles are predators, thus they have chewing mouthparts and can deliver a small bite. This little "nip" is not dangerous, but it can be irritating especially if you have several "taste-testing" you at the same time," the entomologist said. The Multicolored Asian Lady Beetle is a very efficient aphid predator. It was first introduced into the United States in 1916, but did not become well established until additional releases were made by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in the late 1970s and early 1980s. "Lady beetles that overwintered in your home will eventually find their way outside or die," Whitworth said. As the weather continues to moderate, their activity will increase. They need to find a suitable food source as soon as possible so they can resume their lifecycle of feeding, mating and laying eggs for the next generation. "If you want to control the lady beetles inside your home this spring, a common, general-use pesticide sprayed in the interior cracks and crevices will probably work," he added. "However, as lady beetles are not usually considered a pest, insecticides are not registered or labeled for their control."
Date: 4/3/08 Advertisement
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