Head to head
Two-spot Ladybird vs Asian Lady Beetle
Two-spot Ladybird
VS Asian Lady Beetle
The two-spot ladybird and the Asian lady beetle, known in Britain as the harlequin ladybird, are two aphid-eating beetles whose meeting has been bad news for the native species.
| Two-spot Ladybird | Asian Lady Beetle | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Adalia bipunctata | Harmonia axyridis |
| Relationship | A native ladybird of Europe, northern Asia, and North America | A ladybird native to Asia, now widespread across North America and Europe |
| Colour forms | Mostly red with two black spots, or black with four red spots, controlled by its genes | An unusually wide range of colour forms and spot counts, from pale orange to black |
| Size | Small, usually only 3.5 to 5 mm long | Generally a larger beetle than the two-spot ladybird |
| Diet | Aphids and other small soft-bodied insects, as adults and larvae | Aphids and other soft-bodied plant pests, and also the eggs and larvae of other ladybirds |
| Winter habits | Overwinters in groups in crevices in bark, buildings, and dead plant stems | Gathers by the thousands in attics, wall voids, and window frames in autumn to overwinter |
| Defence | Warning colours, and an unpleasant yellow fluid from its leg joints | A yellowish, foul-smelling fluid from its leg joints that can stain surfaces |
| Conservation status | Not Evaluated, but declining where the invader has become abundant | Not Evaluated, and a successful invader that displaces native ladybirds |
Two-spot Ladybird vs Asian Lady Beetle: common questions
Is the harlequin ladybird the same as the Asian lady beetle?
Yes, the harlequin ladybird is the British name for the Asian lady beetle, Harmonia axyridis.
Why is the two-spot ladybird declining?
The invasive Asian lady beetle competes with it for food and eats its eggs and larvae.
Which one has more colour forms?
The Asian lady beetle, which shows an unusually wide range of colours and spot counts, though the two-spot ladybird also comes in red and black forms.