What are these ladybird-like beetles in my flat?

[derrynoose]

I have noticed, on a daily basis, ladybird-like beetles flying in my house. However, unlike a regular ladybird, these are black with red spots rather than red with black spots. Can anyone tell me what these are / how i can get rid of them? Thank-you.

[China Doll]

I'm sure I read about this in one of my housemates work mags, they are ladybirds but I think they might be foreign ones, (canadian possibly but don't quote me)... Anyway, they're bigger than our ladybirds and I think they might eat them too and according to the article I read if we're not careful then our ladybirds will go the same way as the red squirrel.

[garner]

China Doll is correct and they are very unwelcome and can overtake our native ladybird, they advise to kill them,not a nice thing to do I know.Don't know if I could kill them all the same, lovely looking insects.

[spudqueen]

There are 46 species of ladybird in the British Isles, and some of them are black with red spots.
There is some information about the harlequin ladybird, which is threatening our native ladybirds here
http://www.harlequin-survey.org/

[derrynoose]

Thanks for your answers, China Doll, garner and spudqueen, but how do I get rid of the varmints?

[shylock73]

Knock em down and put your foot on em, Crunch.

[China Doll]

Good God I'm actually incredibly chuffed that something random I read has some relevance to someone!

Are you living somewhere quitegreen or soomething in order for them to be in on a daily basis? I guess if you are then normal methods would kill the nice (if there is such a thing) bugs you like so I'm afraid crunching and newspapers may indeed be the only way forwards.

[abstibus]

China Doll
I live in London, not near a park. As far as I can gather, these are harlequin ladybirds, and are a threat to our native ones. The whole thing is making my flesh creep - they fly around and get in my hair and on my clothes and on the bedclothes.
I have looked at lots of websites about them, but no-one has said what to do to eradicate them - I don't mean just batting them with a newspaper. Are they breeding in the window frames/under the floorboards? Can I find the larvae? Do I have to put up with them all summer? Should I notify local Pest Control?
I would really like some positive advice.
Thanks a lot.

[China Doll]

Good God I didn't mean to set my self up as some sort of ladybird expert...

Some information I've learnt are that I was wrong, they're Asian and it's not just our ladybirds they effect, the could quite severely bu88er up the foodchain. They were bred in North America to combat plant pests apparently and they are much bigger hunters than our native ladybirds for greenfly. When they can't eat greenfly they'll eat other ladybirds, butterflies and other small bugs.

They don't like the cold much but I don't think turning your house in to a fridge will help. Scientists think that they swarm in groups in winter to nice warm places (I think ours do too) and that this could be down to their sense of smell. Potentially a box trap could be developed if this is the case but I don't really know what they are.

It's very important to paticipate in the harlequin survey (link above) as they are being monitored in this country and the scientists are asking for help in monitoring the wee beggers.

Our own ladybirds will come out of hibernation relatively soon and that's when they'll be effected big time but the bigger ladybirds.

It says that killing them now may not help and could mean you kill others by accident.

Lots of links for you here if you want to find out more like I did, (including a picture of their larvae so you know what to look for).

I will now be on my way as I actually have a phobia of all bugs and this is making my hair stand on end ever so slightly!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4348881.st m
http://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profiles0108/harl equinladybird.asp

14:14 Sun 23rd Mar 2008

[China Doll]

http://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profiles0108/harl equinladybird.asp

http://www.nhm.ac.uk/about-us/news/2005/march/ news_3416.html

http://www.harlequin-survey.org/recognition_an d_distinction.htm

http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/forums/insec ts/13403-harlequin-larva.html

[China Doll]

http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/natur e/ladybirds-are-invading-our-houses-this-autum n-often-in-their-thousands-whats-going-on-3971 86.html

(Just an interesting article ^^^)

[dave12345]

I have no problem with the use of chemical pesticides on these revolting things if that is what it takes to wipe them out. I have been hoovering them up but they are producing a sickening smell in my hoover bag. Every time I turn on the hoover it emits a bitter stench. I would rather have these things killed using some sort of DDT type organophosphate poison. Something that makes them drop dead on the window sill. Can anyone recommend anything?