9NEWS.com | Colorado's Online News Leader | Ridiculous amount of ladybugs invade mountain community

News Type: Other — Seeded on Sat Jul 11, 2009 8:16 AM EDT

Article Source: KUSA-TV

odd-news

Seeded by bitemore

This has to be seen to be believed. You cannot see the surface on which they sit: ladybugs. Gazillions of them!

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8.3

{"commentId":8154224,"authorDomain":"efucci"}

bitemore

This truly qualifies as a "WTF" situation... and I just happen to love ladybugs.

Comments welcome. Please observe CoH.

{"commentId":8154224,"threadId":"624305","contentId":"3016908","authorDomain":"efucci"}

4 votes

#1 - Sat Jul 11, 2009 8:17 AM EDT

{"commentId":8381632,"authorDomain":"lady-bug"}

Lady Bug

Hey I think I saw Uncle beetle....lol buzz buzz They are on vacation...

{"commentId":8381632,"threadId":"624305","contentId":"3016908","authorDomain":"lady-bug"}

1 vote

#1.1 - Thu Jul 23, 2009 1:27 PM EDT

{"commentId":8387174,"authorDomain":"efucci"}

bitemore

#1.1: "Hey I think I saw Uncle beetle....lol buzz buzz They are on vacation..."

Nawww... that was probably just Paul McCartney...

Lady Bug, I was wondering when you'd show up... looks like quite the family reunion, doncha think?

Thanks for stopping by!

{"commentId":8387174,"threadId":"624305","contentId":"3016908","authorDomain":"efucci"}

2 votes

#1.2 - Thu Jul 23, 2009 4:08 PM EDT

{"commentId":8799367,"authorDomain":"Willow-124447"}

Willow-124447

Bitemore-

I love ladybugs too. But looks like these are the big nasty one based on other posts.

Does anyone know the difference with the ones with spots and the one without spots. Both are the same size, not the one pictured being the Asian Beetle types.

Please enlighten me. Don't know if one's a boy and the other is a girl. I have wondered since I was a kid, a loooooooong time ago.

{"commentId":8799367,"threadId":"624305","contentId":"3016908","authorDomain":"Willow-124447"}

2 votes

#1.3 - Wed Aug 12, 2009 5:46 PM EDT

{"commentId":8799665,"authorDomain":"efucci"}

bitemore

#1.3: "Does anyone know the difference with the ones with spots and the one without spots. Both are the same size, the the Asian Beetle types."

I looked up ladybugs (google) and there are numerous sites that describe them. Look up "Asian Beetle" and ditto: lots of sites that describe them.

What I took away from the research is that the infestation featured in the article consists of the good bugs (there may be a handful of bad apples in there, but the majority seem to be the good ones).

In general: true ladybugs are a deeper red and have fewer (and larger) spots than the Asian beetle. The Asian beetle is more of an orange, has many more spots, and one other difference is key: in a true ladybug, the head is black. In the Asian beetle the head is pale colored (yellowish to white).

Apparently, both types can bite, but the ladybug has to be really annoyed or threatened, while the Asian nasty will bite on a whim without provocation.

Ummm.. dunno which ones are boys and which ones are girls... I couldn't get one to hold still long enough to look.... ummm... yeah... :-)

{"commentId":8799665,"threadId":"624305","contentId":"3016908","authorDomain":"efucci"}

4 votes

#1.4 - Wed Aug 12, 2009 5:56 PM EDT

{"commentId":8805002,"authorDomain":"Willow-124447"}

Willow-124447

Bitemore - thanks for the info. Good one.

Ummm.. dunno which ones are boys and which ones are girls... I couldn't get one to hold still long enough to look.... ummm... yeah... :-)

{"commentId":8805002,"threadId":"624305","contentId":"3016908","authorDomain":"Willow-124447"}

1 vote

#1.5 - Wed Aug 12, 2009 9:44 PM EDT

{"commentId":9252847,"authorDomain":"mysticfarm"}

kjpxxx

very informative bitemore...who would have ever thunk? I assumed they were all good [that's my sweet,positive nature] and took them to the nearest bush. Like humans I guess I need to look alittle deeper before I give them a pass..black head vrs. pale head..I can remember that...not one has ever bitten me, bad or good...the ones with NO spots are the one I wonder about...LOL

{"commentId":9252847,"threadId":"624305","contentId":"3016908","authorDomain":"mysticfarm"}

#1.6 - Fri Sep 4, 2009 5:57 PM EDT

{"commentId":9254388,"authorDomain":"efucci"}

bitemore

#1.6: "...not one has ever bitten me, bad or good..."

Same here, but a couple of years ago, where I used to work, I was standing outside the place with a friend during a major Asian Beetle infestation (we thought they were ladybugs), and one of them was on my friend's arm, and it bit him. We both looked spooked, because we'd never heard of ladybugs biting. Then another friend joined us and we told her what had happened and she said it bit my friend because it isn't a real lady bug.

Who'd a thunkit?! So, I looked it up online and, sure enough, the biter was an Asian Beetle. In any event, they are also good at keeping down insect pests in gardens, and they don't gang up on humans just to bite us. You just gotta be wary, is all.

{"commentId":9254388,"threadId":"624305","contentId":"3016908","authorDomain":"efucci"}

1 vote

#1.7 - Fri Sep 4, 2009 7:13 PM EDT

{"commentId":8156615,"authorDomain":"nofluer"}

Nofluer

Ummm... sorry. Your TV station doesn't know it's azz from a ladybug.

Thank them for the clear pics though so I could confirm my speculations.

Those are NOT what we know as "ladybugs" - the benign little spotted red bugs that eat aphids. Those are ASIAN BEATLES - and they are NOT all that beneficial. They are a PITA. Go ahead - squish one with your hand, have one crawl on your neck, feel the irritation as their body chemicals make your skin burn and erupt in a rash. See them invade your homes and get into EVERYTHING!!! And they STINK!!!

Got a tip for you and your TV station... kill them. Kill as many as you can, as fast as you can.

The live for about 3 years, and here's the nasty part - they're like salmon. They return to lay their eggs in the place they hatched. So if you have a few in the house this year, you'll have thousands more, then tens of thousands more the next year, etc. They multiply by mathematical progression almost.

Some of the home and garden stores have a long lasting (9 months), human safe spray-on insecticide. Along about now is when you want to spray the window edges and around the doors, and anywhere else they can get in. When the cold weather begins, they'll start coming in and if you force them across your chemical barrier, they'll die by the thousands. Just sweep them up and throw them away and be happy because they won't be laying eggs in your house this winter.

If you want the TV station to broadcast the TRUTH (that these are NOT the cute little ladybugs of yore), have them call the U of CO Ag people or the Extension service at a State University - and they can fill you in on them.

{"commentId":8156615,"threadId":"624305","contentId":"3016908","authorDomain":"nofluer"}

2 votes

#2 - Sat Jul 11, 2009 12:12 PM EDT

{"commentId":8159785,"authorDomain":"efucci"}

bitemore

Actually, it isn't "my" TV station... I'm in Virginia - I just stumbled across this. I know what bug you are talking about, however... we get them all the time, and they are quite nasty. I wouldn't want to see them in these numbers...

{"commentId":8159785,"threadId":"624305","contentId":"3016908","authorDomain":"efucci"}

3 votes

#2.1 - Sat Jul 11, 2009 4:16 PM EDT

{"commentId":8159822,"authorDomain":"inghar2004"}

gladbutterfly

I was wondering whether those were the nasty type. They are a real nuisance. Try a vacuum with a a couple ounces of diatomaceous earth in the vacuum bag. That'll do it.

{"commentId":8159822,"threadId":"624305","contentId":"3016908","authorDomain":"inghar2004"}

1 vote

#2.2 - Sat Jul 11, 2009 4:18 PM EDT

{"commentId":8160452,"authorDomain":"efucci"}

bitemore

I went back and looked again, and, yes, those are the nasty ones. The real lady bug is a darker shade of red, and have fewer, larger spots. The Asian beetle is more of an orange color with more, smaller spots... I'll have to remember your suggestion if we get an abundance of nasties here. Where I used to work, we really did get a lot of them... they are a real nuisance, and they bite.

{"commentId":8160452,"threadId":"624305","contentId":"3016908","authorDomain":"efucci"}

1 vote

#2.3 - Sat Jul 11, 2009 5:03 PM EDT

{"commentId":8387645,"authorDomain":"danwill2"}

danwill

I've seen regular ladybugs gather like that too. while camping in the sierra nevada mountains one time. we actually gathered two large coffee cans full of them for our yard. all we had to do was to put the can against a tree, and sweep them into the can. the gathering process took all of two minutes, they were so thick.

{"commentId":8387645,"threadId":"624305","contentId":"3016908","authorDomain":"danwill2"}

#2.4 - Thu Jul 23, 2009 4:22 PM EDT

{"commentId":8387991,"authorDomain":"efucci"}

bitemore

#2.4: "...the gathering process took all of two minutes, they were so thick."

Oh, wow... I am so jealous... I wish so much I could gather that many and turn them loose here... we're pretty much infested with the nasty Asian variety. I'd like to even the odds a bit. :-)

{"commentId":8387991,"threadId":"624305","contentId":"3016908","authorDomain":"efucci"}

#2.5 - Thu Jul 23, 2009 4:35 PM EDT

{"commentId":9252935,"authorDomain":"mysticfarm"}

kjpxxx

OK I'm confused am I killing the pale head or the black head????

{"commentId":9252935,"threadId":"624305","contentId":"3016908","authorDomain":"mysticfarm"}

#2.6 - Fri Sep 4, 2009 6:01 PM EDT

{"commentId":9254434,"authorDomain":"efucci"}

bitemore

#2.6: "OK I'm confused am I killing the pale head or the black head????"

Don't kill either of them. But if you really hate the Asian Beetles, and want to be sure which is which, maybe you can look it up online. I'm pretty sure the Asians have the pale heads and the ladybugs have the black heads. But I leave them all alone because they all serve a useful purpose.

{"commentId":9254434,"threadId":"624305","contentId":"3016908","authorDomain":"efucci"}

#2.7 - Fri Sep 4, 2009 7:16 PM EDT

{"commentId":9520540,"authorDomain":"blackcat8838"}

Nan-813417

They return to lay their eggs in the place they hatched.

true. [ick]

{"commentId":9520540,"threadId":"624305","contentId":"3016908","authorDomain":"blackcat8838"}

#2.8 - Wed Sep 16, 2009 9:37 AM EDT

{"commentId":9522583,"authorDomain":"efucci"}

bitemore

Hmmmm.... maybe pretend they are butterflies? :-)

Thanks for stopping by!

{"commentId":9522583,"threadId":"624305","contentId":"3016908","authorDomain":"efucci"}

#2.9 - Wed Sep 16, 2009 10:49 AM EDT

{"commentId":8183622,"authorDomain":"Sassy79"}

Sassy79

Interesting situation there in Colorado.... I thought our crow problem was bad where I live.. I will put up with that anyday after seeing the pic of those Asian beetles... yuck!

{"commentId":8183622,"threadId":"624305","contentId":"3016908","authorDomain":"Sassy79"}

1 vote

#3 - Mon Jul 13, 2009 10:22 AM EDT

{"commentId":8186216,"authorDomain":"efucci"}

bitemore

Well, after seeing these little thingys on the news yesterday, I'm no longer so certain they are the Asian beetle. The homeowner stood there covered in bugs, and wasn't bitten. Closeups showed that at least some of these things really are the "good" bug, the true Ladybug... so I'm going to reserve judgment for now. I do know that the Asian beetle is really orange and that it has many, many more spots than the Ladybug. Ladybugs also have differences in the number and placement of spots, but they are definitely a deeper shade of red than the Asian.

Ironically, the Ladybug infestation has now become a viral video... whether you like these bugs or not, it really is quite startling to see so many all in one place.

Thanks for stopping by, Sassy!

{"commentId":8186216,"threadId":"624305","contentId":"3016908","authorDomain":"efucci"}

#3.1 - Mon Jul 13, 2009 12:29 PM EDT

{"commentId":8188036,"authorDomain":"nofluer"}

Nofluer

They're probably just moving into the area - and sights like this on the ceilings of your homes will become all too common...

{"commentId":8188036,"threadId":"624305","contentId":"3016908","authorDomain":"nofluer"}

1 vote

#3.2 - Mon Jul 13, 2009 1:50 PM EDT

{"commentId":8383522,"authorDomain":"tishamauro"}

not over it

I'm no longer so certain they are the Asian beetle. The homeowner stood there covered in bugs, and wasn't bitten.

I also live in Colorado and I can attest to the fact that these ladybugs do not bite or stink and we have millions of them.

Last year our mountains were infested with beetles that were killing thousands and thousands of trees. That is probably why the ladybugs are moving in.

{"commentId":8383522,"threadId":"624305","contentId":"3016908","authorDomain":"tishamauro"}

2 votes

#3.3 - Thu Jul 23, 2009 2:17 PM EDT

{"commentId":8387258,"authorDomain":"efucci"}

bitemore

#3.3: "I also live in Colorado and I can attest to the fact that these ladybugs do not bite or stink and we have millions of them."

Thanks for the confirmation. I very much prefer to think of these little guys as being the good ones... I really am very fond of ladybugs!

{"commentId":8387258,"threadId":"624305","contentId":"3016908","authorDomain":"efucci"}

#3.4 - Thu Jul 23, 2009 4:10 PM EDT

{"commentId":8799492,"authorDomain":"Willow-124447"}

Willow-124447

Labybugs and butterflys - Rate top in my book of wonderful things.

{"commentId":8799492,"threadId":"624305","contentId":"3016908","authorDomain":"Willow-124447"}

1 vote

#3.5 - Wed Aug 12, 2009 5:51 PM EDT

{"commentId":9564210,"authorDomain":"pennid"}

PenniD

I like ladybugs, too, but in moderation. This is just too many ladybugs, beetles or whatever in one place. Truly a WTF moment, bitemore!

{"commentId":9564210,"threadId":"624305","contentId":"3016908","authorDomain":"pennid"}

#3.6 - Fri Sep 18, 2009 12:23 AM EDT

{"commentId":9564639,"authorDomain":"efucci"}

bitemore

#3.6: "...a WTF moment, bitemore!"

Believe it or not, that's exactly what I thought when I stumbled upon this... except that I said it all out loud... "What-the-(rhymes with 'duck')"

:-)

{"commentId":9564639,"threadId":"624305","contentId":"3016908","authorDomain":"efucci"}

#3.7 - Fri Sep 18, 2009 1:01 AM EDT

{"commentId":8188005,"authorDomain":"nofluer"}

Nofluer

Follow up.

I emailed the station and this is their response:

Thanks for your note. We are working on a follow up today.

On another note, does your screen name indicate you're from Missouri? I grew up in Milan, between Kirksville and Trenton.

In any case, thanks again for watching and writing.

Tim Ryan
Assistant News Director
9News/KUSA-TV
303-871-1448

{"commentId":8188005,"threadId":"624305","contentId":"3016908","authorDomain":"nofluer"}

2 votes

#4 - Mon Jul 13, 2009 1:49 PM EDT

{"commentId":8191941,"authorDomain":"efucci"}

bitemore

Oh, wow... that's what I call proactive, Nofluer! Please keep us updated if you should learn anything new.

I did start a Google search on Ladybugs to see if I could find anything that compared them with the Asian beetle, and so far there isn't enough that I consider definitive, and I ran out of time. But I will keep looking for something and will post a link if I find it.

Thanks for the update!

{"commentId":8191941,"threadId":"624305","contentId":"3016908","authorDomain":"efucci"}

1 vote

#4.1 - Mon Jul 13, 2009 4:51 PM EDT

{"commentId":8799844,"authorDomain":"Willow-124447"}

Willow-124447

This looks like a pretty good link with loads of information.

http://www.geocities.com/sseagraves/ladybugfacts.htm

{"commentId":8799844,"threadId":"624305","contentId":"3016908","authorDomain":"Willow-124447"}

1 vote

#4.2 - Wed Aug 12, 2009 6:02 PM EDT

{"commentId":9525973,"authorDomain":"alacount"}

mtpromises

The aphids have been pretty hard on the trees here in MT, so we have had plenty of ladybugs also, which is great cause they eat aphids.........maybe the trees will survive now

good article, thanks bitemore

{"commentId":9525973,"threadId":"624305","contentId":"3016908","authorDomain":"alacount"}

1 vote

#4.3 - Wed Sep 16, 2009 12:45 PM EDT

{"commentId":9526378,"authorDomain":"efucci"}

bitemore

#4.3: "good article, thanks bitemore"

And thanks for stopping by! I hope your trees do survive... too bad you can't borrow some of those ladybugs from Colorado!

{"commentId":9526378,"threadId":"624305","contentId":"3016908","authorDomain":"efucci"}

1 vote

#4.4 - Wed Sep 16, 2009 12:58 PM EDT

{"commentId":8196971,"authorDomain":"jk-1213491"}

JK-1213491

They are actually the convergent lady beatle, a native species and not the Asian beatle which is an invasive species.

{"commentId":8196971,"threadId":"624305","contentId":"3016908","authorDomain":"jk-1213491"}

1 vote

#5 - Mon Jul 13, 2009 9:39 PM EDT

{"commentId":8200792,"authorDomain":"efucci"}

bitemore

I hope you're right, JK. I'd hate to think those folks in Colorado are infested with the nasties, and I really do like Ladybugs... they are pretty, they are friendly, and they serve a heckuva good purpose, and I like to think that, with all the tribulation going on in the world, there is still something wonderful to appreciate.

Thank you.

{"commentId":8200792,"threadId":"624305","contentId":"3016908","authorDomain":"efucci"}

1 vote

#5.1 - Tue Jul 14, 2009 5:01 AM EDT

{"commentId":8210904,"authorDomain":"perrie"}

Perrie

Hi bitty,

JK is right. The asian beatle is the invasive species, and these little guys and girls are our home gowrn variety. They are actually very good for the environment, because they eat other pesty insects.

Just marval at the fact that they all decided to get together and have a party!

{"commentId":8210904,"threadId":"624305","contentId":"3016908","authorDomain":"perrie"}

1 vote

#5.2 - Tue Jul 14, 2009 3:43 PM EDT

{"commentId":8381722,"authorDomain":"lady-bug"}

Lady Bug

Family Reunion....you should see the 3 legged race...wow

{"commentId":8381722,"threadId":"624305","contentId":"3016908","authorDomain":"lady-bug"}

1 vote

#5.3 - Thu Jul 23, 2009 1:29 PM EDT

{"commentId":8233731,"authorDomain":"Sassy79"}

Sassy79

Thanks for the kind words Bitemore.. I haven't been around much because of work and growing weary of some of the stuff I see here on the vine...

{"commentId":8233731,"threadId":"624305","contentId":"3016908","authorDomain":"Sassy79"}

1 vote

#6 - Wed Jul 15, 2009 3:58 PM EDT

{"commentId":9252988,"authorDomain":"mysticfarm"}

kjpxxx

this is sad.....I am a month to late.................kjpxxx story of my life...

{"commentId":9252988,"threadId":"624305","contentId":"3016908","authorDomain":"mysticfarm"}

#7 - Fri Sep 4, 2009 6:03 PM EDT

{"commentId":9254477,"authorDomain":"efucci"}

bitemore

#7: "...I am a month to late..."

Hey, better late than never! I'm glad you stopped by!

{"commentId":9254477,"threadId":"624305","contentId":"3016908","authorDomain":"efucci"}

#7.1 - Fri Sep 4, 2009 7:17 PM EDT

{"commentId":9520465,"authorDomain":"blackcat8838"}

Nan-813417

I've observed this phenomenon. In Battle Creek, when I was in school there. Hoardes, and they literally appear overnight. I like ladybugs, but it was almost frightening, and there was a certain accompanying stench. [sorry to be graphic]

{"commentId":9520465,"threadId":"624305","contentId":"3016908","authorDomain":"blackcat8838"}

1 vote

#8 - Wed Sep 16, 2009 9:34 AM EDT

{"commentId":9522644,"authorDomain":"efucci"}

bitemore

Graphic is okay, Nan. Everything I have read about ladybugs (including the nasty Asian variety) says they give off a foul odor in order to repel predators. So, it is logical to assume that millions of the critters all in one place would make the odor detectable to human senses.

Thanks for stopping by!

{"commentId":9522644,"threadId":"624305","contentId":"3016908","authorDomain":"efucci"}

1 vote

#8.1 - Wed Sep 16, 2009 10:51 AM EDT

{"commentId":9623001,"authorDomain":"littlereddog"}

littlereddog

We have had problems with these Asian Beetles here in Wisconsin for the better part of the past decade. They ARE nasty. They get into our homes. Love to hang out in windows, decks, any place warm. They stain window shades and fabrics. They stink. They bite. I spend a lot of days just vacuuming those little suckers off of my screen porch in the summer, and then have to actually tape the vacuum bag shut before discarding or they infest my vacuum equipment. Like other beetle infestations, there is one sure fire way of getting rid of them and that's with soapy water. Apparently spraying a soapy film on their exoskeleton suffocates them. I have sprayed exterior house walls with dishwater soap water and killed thousnads of box elder bugs, too, another scourge here.

BTW: HI BITEY!!!!!!!!!! How are the little critters doing?

{"commentId":9623001,"threadId":"624305","contentId":"3016908","authorDomain":"littlereddog"}

#9 - Mon Sep 21, 2009 1:40 PM EDT

{"commentId":9623956,"authorDomain":"efucci"}

bitemore

Hi, Littlereddog! Critters are all well (hammies, I mean; not bugs)!

I was amused at your soapy water bug extermination method, because I used to do that with ants... they infested the front stoop where I used to live, and ticked me off big time! So, I sat out front with a spray bottle full of soapy water, spraying it on every ant I saw, and eventually got rid of the lot of 'em! It was great sport: shooting ants! Not with bullets, but with soap and water (I used a peppermint soap, but suppose any brand will do).

You're right about the suffocation: insects breathe through what are called "spiracles" on their abdomens (or maybe it's the thorax... not too sure about that). The soapy water clogs the spiracles and the bug suffocates.

Thanks for your comment!

{"commentId":9623956,"threadId":"624305","contentId":"3016908","authorDomain":"efucci"}

#9.1 - Mon Sep 21, 2009 2:18 PM EDT

{"canLink":false,"threadId":"624305","isPrivate":false}

BITEMORE

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