Massive ladybug swarm moving through SoCal

[Wrightwood]

By ABC7.com staff
Updated 27 minutes ago
SAN DIEGO (KABC) -- A swarm of ladybugs in San Diego County was so thick it registered as a mass on the National Weather Service's radar screens.

The large blob on the radar measured some 80 miles wide as the beetles migrated through the area, apparently headed in the direction of the Inland Empire.




"The large echo showing up on SoCal radar this evening is not precipitation, but actually a cloud of lady bugs termed a "bloom"," the weather service tweeted.

But experts said the bugs may not appear quite that concentrated to observers on the ground, as they are spread out through the sky and at different elevations.

According to the University of California Pest Management Program, this is a common time of year for ladybugs to migrate to higher elevations in search of food. Most species of the beetle are considered beneficial to agriculture as they feed on pests.

https://abc7.com/pets-animals/massive-ladybug-swarm-moving-through-socal/5333246/

[Nolena]

In this area, ladybugs emerge from their wintering locations in crevices in the mountains at this time. They over-winter in large groups, often a foot or more thick. When the weather warms, they emerge.
No one drops them from helicopters.
They show up every year.
This is nothing new.
Welcome to Wrightwood.

[Jim Wilkins]

the little critters also have a sharp bite.  Who would believe such a beloved bug had a bite?

[ForestGal]

No kidding, Jim!  Ladybugs are the only bugs (well, besides butterflies). that I actually like!  I hate most bugs.  I rescue ladybugs out of my bathroom every summer and let them go outside. 

[JDRichlen]

These are not the same lady bugs you recall from your childhood.  These are actually an invasive species of Asian Lady Beetle.  They were originally introduced in the U.S. to control the aphid population.  They can easily be identified as they are more of an orange color rather than that classic red.  They are actually mostly the cause of why we do not see red lady bugs very often anymore.  The Asian Lady Beetle is an aggressive feeder, and while they absolutely help control the aphid population they also eat other ladybugs.  I don't believe there has been much effort to control their spread as they are seen to be mostly a positive addition to the ecosystem.  They can however take refuge in your home during the winter months.  Where I grew up in the Midwest this was a really big issue for a number of seasons back in the 90's.  To learn more about the differences visit: https://plunketts.net/blog/ladybugs-vs-asian-lady-beetles/.

And yes, they can have quite the little bite.

[Leftfield]

For me, I ll bet my bottom dollar and see the reactions of repulsiveness when you take the ladybug whether it be red or orange and paint it all black. Go figure.....

[Wrightwood]

[Wrightwood]

Old forum topic:
Who let out all the Lady Bugs?
http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/forum/index.php/topic,490.0.html