I discovered two different ladybugs or lookalikes on the corn on the same day. This one looks a little different than I am accustomed to. Also, it seems I have aphids due to the large number of ants (and the ladybug(s)). Do you think the beneficials have things under control or should I worry?
This message was edited Jun 10, 2009 12:57 PM
I cannot see the pronotum, but this might be an Asian multicolored lady beetle, Harmonia axyridis. This species exhibits a wide variety of color patterns on its wing covers; see http://tinyurl.com/ncr4ze for some examples. It is an introduced species, and although it feeds voraciously on aphids, it also can be a pest because its habit of overwintering in houses, and it has been implicated in displacing native lady beetle species.
Thank you, suunto. I think you have it. If I can find it again I will compare the pronotum to those in the link. I hope it takes care of the aphids for me. Thanks again.
