Lady beetles (Coccinellidae) are a family of beetles commonly referred to as ladybugs. There are about 500 different species of ladybugs in the United States. The four most common types are: the Seven-Spotted Ladybug, the Convergent Ladybug, the Asian Ladybeetle, and the C-Mac Ladybug.
Lady beetles are small (1-10 millimeters long) and always a round or oval dome-shape. They have hard shell wings that cover their inner wings. They are usually some color combination of black and red, orange, or yellow and often have spots on their wings.
Ladybugs live where their prey live. They thrive mostly on plants, herbs, bushes, and sometimes trees or grass. They prefer warmer climates and may spend the winter hiding under bark or in a crack or crevice to escape the cold.
In the United States, ladybugs want to hibernate in a warm, comfortable spot over the winter, like your home. Ladybugs gather in groups when they hibernate, so if you see one, you can be sure more will follow.
Lady bugs are generally considered useful insects, because they feed on other harmful pests in gardens, fields and other similar places. However, during cold months, ladybugs can be found inside the home – where they are trying to keep warm. To prevent ladybugs inside the home is to repair damaged window and door trim and to caulk small cracks and crevices.
Ladybugs don’t bite humans like mosquitos or fleas, but they are able to pinch using their mandibles. Many people aren’t hurt by it and most don’t even notice it.