Ladybug vs Asian Beetle | Ladybug vs Asian Lady Beetle
Asian beetle is a species of ladybugs and their main specialities would be of great importance, as it is one of the most famous or well-known beetles in the world. Ladybugs in general and Asian beetles in particular are very popular among people due to their colourful appearance; there are highly popular motor cars called beetles, which has been derived from these beautiful insects.
Ladybug
Ladybugs or ladybirds are members of the insect Family: Coccinellidae of Order: Coleoptera. There are seven subfamilies of ladybugs with more than 5,000 species distributed worldwide. Since they are not true bugs, the name ladybird beetle has been in common usage to refer them. One of the most important reasons for their popularity among people is the variety of bright and attractive colourations. Ladybugs are predatory insects most of the time, but there are herbivorous and omnivorous members, as well. About 5,000 aphid species are susceptible of being eaten by ladybugs. However, the herbivorous species are considered as serious agricultural pests. Their body lengths vary from one to 10 millimetres and have the shape of hemispheres, which is sometimes ovular shaped.
Asian Beetle (Asian Lady Beetle)
Asian beetle, Harmonia axyridis, is known in many other names viz. Asian lady beetle, Japanese ladybug, and the Harlequin ladybird. Thus, it is sometimes referred as the Many-named Insect. The origin of this insect is believed to be from Asia, especially from northeast Asia through Himalayas and Uzbekistan. However, they have been distributed all over the world after some time, due to their importance in controlling other insects. Asian beetles, being carnivorous, pose a great help for farmers as they are predators of some of the agricultural pests such as aphids. In fact, they are very effective and efficient predators of aphids. Because of this usefulness, they have been taken from Asia to the United States in 1916 and later to many other parts of the world.
Asian beetle’s body shape is one of the most characteristic features, which is dome-shaped, and it is about 7 – 8 millimetres long. There are two pairs of wings and the forewings are large and hardened with a thick cuticle. These wings cover more than 80 % of the dorsal side of their body. The colouration of the forewing determines the overall colour of the animal, which could vary drastically from yellowish orange to black with spots. The number of dark spots could be up to 22, but some of them lack those spots. There is a dark colouration with the shape of W or M can be observed on the pronotum (small part between head and the base of wings) of Asian beetles.
Asian beetles usually hibernate in the winter, but as soon as the temperature reaches 100C (500F) even during the winter. Additionally, their waking up while hibernating may be significant and visible, since they can use even small crevices for hibernation. Furthermore, these beetles could be easily spotted as congregates during winters when the sunlight is available, which enables them to gather solar energy to heat up their bodies. They release a blood-like liquid with an unpleasant odour, which is known as auto-haemorrhaging or reflex bleeding as a defensive behaviour. These secretions could be allergic to humans sometimes. There are records of bites on humans after being provoked. Sometimes, they have been pests of agricultural crops (contamination of tender fruits of grapes have caused the produced wine with a different taste).
What is the difference between Ladybug and Asian Beetle?
• Ladybug is the name of the main group while Asian beetle is a species of that.
• Asian beetles are usually larger than most of the ladybug species.
• Ladybugs are native to many parts of the world including Americas, but Asian beetles are native to Asia.
• Asian beetles have an M or W shaped colouration on the pronotum but not in other ladybugs.
• Some ladybugs are herbivorous but Asian beetles are always voracious carnivores. Herbivorous ladybugs are more serous pests of agricultural crops than the Asian beetles that could contaminate some grapes.