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Description
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Maybe it is a -Ladybug...

Thanks to Wikipedia for the following description:

Harmonia axyridis is a large coccinellid beetle originally native to eastern Asia, but which has been introduced to North America and Europe to control aphids and scale insects. It is now common, well known and spreading in those regions. It is commonly known as Asian lady beetle in North America, and Harlequin ladybird in the United Kingdom (the latter name because it occurs in numerous color forms). It is also known as the Multicolored Asian lady beetle, and Halloween lady beetle (because it invades homes in October in preparation for hibernation).

When the species first arrived the UK, it received the label of "the many-named ladybird". Among the names listed were: Multivariate, Southern, Japanese, and Pumpkin ladybird.

Description

Harmonia axyridis is a "typical" coccinellid beetle in shape and structure, being domed and having a "smooth" transition between its elytra (wing coverings), pronotum and head. It occurs in three main color forms: red or orange with black spots (known as form succinea); black with four red spots (form spectabilis); and black with two red spots (form conspicua). However, numerous intermediate and divergent forms have also been recorded. The species is typically large (7–8 mm long) and even more dome-shaped than native European species (these characteristics distinguish Harmonia axyridis from native species in the UK). It often has white markings (typically "M" or "W" shaped) on its pronotum, and usually brown or reddish legs.

Range

Harmonia axyridis is native to eastern Asia from central Siberia, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan in the west, through Russia south to the Himalayas and east to the Pacific coast and Japan, including Korea, Mongolia, China and Taiwan. As a voracious predator, it was identified as a biocontrol agent for aphids and scale insects. Consequently, it has been introduced into greenhouses, crop fields and gardens in many countries, including the USA and parts of Europe. The species is now established in the USA, Canada, the UK, The Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, France, Germany, Poland, Greece and Egypt.

Biology and behavior

Asian lady beetles hibernate in cooler months, though they will wake up and move around whenever the temperature reaches about 50°F (10°C). Because the beetles will use crevices and other cool, dry, confined spaces to hibernate, significant numbers may congregate inside walls if given a large enough opening. They often congregate in sunlit areas because of the heat available, so even on fairly cold winter days, some of the hibernating beetles will “wake up” because of solar heating. These large populations can be problematic because they can form swarms and linger in an area for a long time.

The Asian lady beetle, like other lady beetles, uses isopropyl methoxy pyrazine as a defensive chemical to deter predation, but also contains this chemical in its hemolymph at much higher concentrations than many other lady beetle species. These insects will “reflex bleed” when agitated, releasing hemolymph from their legs. The liquid has a foul odor (similar to that of dead leaves) and can cause stains. Some people have allergic reactions, including allergic rhinoconjunctivitis when exposed to these beetles. Sometimes, the beetles will bite humans, presumably in an attempt to acquire salt[citation needed], although many people feel a pricking sensation as a lady beetle walks across the skin. Bites normally do no more harm than cause irritation although a small number of people are allergic to bites.

These beetles can sometimes be difficult to identify because of the variations in color, spot size, and spot count of the elytra. The easiest way to identify an Asian lady beetle is to look at the pronotum and see if the black markings look like a letter “W” or “M” (depending on if the marking is viewed from the front or the back). There is more white on the pronotum in this species than in most native North American species.

This was only an extract of the wiki-article.
Sometime it is fun to include a description here.

Description
Download is 1600*1200 pixels!

Maybe it is a -Ladybug...

Thanks to Wikipedia for the following description:

Harmonia axyridis is a large coccinellid beetle originally native to eastern Asia, but which has been introduced to North America and Europe to control aphids and scale insects. It is now common, well known and spreading in those regions. It is commonly known as Asian lady beetle in North America, and Harlequin ladybird in the United Kingdom (the latter name because it occurs in numerous color forms). It is also known as the Multicolored Asian lady beetle, and Halloween lady beetle (because it invades homes in October in preparation for hibernation).

When the species first arrived the UK, it received the label of "the many-named ladybird". Among the names listed were: Multivariate, Southern, Japanese, and Pumpkin ladybird.

Description

Harmonia axyridis is a "typical" coccinellid beetle in shape and structure, being domed and having a "smooth" transition between its elytra (wing coverings), pronotum and head. It occurs in three main color forms: red or orange with black spots (known as form succinea); black with four red spots (form spectabilis); and black with two red spots (form conspicua). However, numerous intermediate and divergent forms have also been recorded. The species is typically large (7–8 mm long) and even more dome-shaped than native European species (these characteristics distinguish Harmonia axyridis from native species in the UK). It often has white markings (typically "M" or "W" shaped) on its pronotum, and usually brown or reddish legs.

Range

Harmonia axyridis is native to eastern Asia from central Siberia, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan in the west, through Russia south to the Himalayas and east to the Pacific coast and Japan, including Korea, Mongolia, China and Taiwan. As a voracious predator, it was identified as a biocontrol agent for aphids and scale insects. Consequently, it has been introduced into greenhouses, crop fields and gardens in many countries, including the USA and parts of Europe. The species is now established in the USA, Canada, the UK, The Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, France, Germany, Poland, Greece and Egypt.

Biology and behavior

Asian lady beetles hibernate in cooler months, though they will wake up and move around whenever the temperature reaches about 50°F (10°C). Because the beetles will use crevices and other cool, dry, confined spaces to hibernate, significant numbers may congregate inside walls if given a large enough opening. They often congregate in sunlit areas because of the heat available, so even on fairly cold winter days, some of the hibernating beetles will “wake up” because of solar heating. These large populations can be problematic because they can form swarms and linger in an area for a long time.

The Asian lady beetle, like other lady beetles, uses isopropyl methoxy pyrazine as a defensive chemical to deter predation, but also contains this chemical in its hemolymph at much higher concentrations than many other lady beetle species. These insects will “reflex bleed” when agitated, releasing hemolymph from their legs. The liquid has a foul odor (similar to that of dead leaves) and can cause stains. Some people have allergic reactions, including allergic rhinoconjunctivitis when exposed to these beetles. Sometimes, the beetles will bite humans, presumably in an attempt to acquire salt[citation needed], although many people feel a pricking sensation as a lady beetle walks across the skin. Bites normally do no more harm than cause irritation although a small number of people are allergic to bites.

These beetles can sometimes be difficult to identify because of the variations in color, spot size, and spot count of the elytra. The easiest way to identify an Asian lady beetle is to look at the pronotum and see if the black markings look like a letter “W” or “M” (depending on if the marking is viewed from the front or the back). There is more white on the pronotum in this species than in most native North American species.

This was only an extract of the wiki-article.
Sometime it is fun to include a description here.