# Pink spotted lady beetle (Coleomegilla maculata) > A small North American lady beetle that eats aphids and pollen and often appears in gardens and crops as a beneficial predator. Source: https://insectscanner.com/species/pink-spotted-lady-beetle/ (updated 2026-10-10) ## Is it dangerous? **Non-toxic.** Not dangerous. Lady beetles do not have venom harmful to people. Some individuals can exude a small amount of yellow defensive fluid that may stain and rarely cause mild skin irritation or a minor allergic reaction in sensitive people. **Pets:** Harmless to pets. Ingesting a few beetles is not known to be toxic, though dogs or cats that eat many could vomit or have mild gastrointestinal upset. ## Quick facts - Scientific name: Coleomegilla maculata - Also called: Spotted lady beetle, Twelve-spotted lady beetle - Order: Coleoptera (Beetles) - Family: Coccinellidae (Lady beetles) - Size: 5-6 mm long - Colours: Pink, Red-orange, Black, Pale cream - Habitat: Open habitats: agricultural fields, gardens, meadows, orchards, roadsides and edges where aphid prey and flowering plants occur - Range: Widespread across North America; found in much of the United States and southern Canada - Active: Spring to fall; most active during warm daylight hours - Lifespan: Several weeks to a few months as an adult; multiple generations per year in warm regions - Effect on plants: Pest predator - Pest: no ## Overview Coleomegilla maculata is a common North American lady beetle (Coccinellidae) notable for its pink to red, slightly elongate elytra with six black spots on each. It is an important biological control agent in agricultural and garden settings because both adults and larvae feed heavily on aphids, small soft-bodied insects and insect eggs, while adults also consume pollen and nectar. It occurs in a range of habitats from fields and orchards to gardens and roadsides. The ground colour ranges from pale pink to red, and spots are sometimes partly merged. ## How to identify it Adults are small, oval and somewhat elongate (less round than many lady beetles) with smooth elytra. Elytra are pink to red with six black spots on each (twelve in total), some of which may merge. The pronotum is pink to red with two large black spots. Legs and underside are dark. Larvae are elongated, alligator-like, dark gray to black with lighter markings and covered in small tubercles. - Small (5-6 mm), oval, somewhat elongate beetle with pink to red elytra - Six black spots on each elytron (twelve in total), sometimes partly merged - Pink to red pronotum with two large black spots - Larvae are elongated, dark and alligator-like (typical lady beetle larvae) ## Lookalikes - **Asian lady beetle** (Harmonia axyridis): Often larger and more variable in colour and spot pattern; H. axyridis usually has a distinctive 'M' or 'W' shaped dark mark on the pronotum and can be more orange to red with variable spot numbers. - **Seven-spotted lady beetle** (Coccinella septempunctata): Usually larger and more rounded with exactly seven spots (three on each elytron and one central) and a more uniform red background. ## Life cycle - **Egg:** Yellow to orange oval eggs laid in clusters on leaves or near aphid colonies. - **Larva:** Elongated, alligator-like larvae that are active predators, feeding on aphids and other small pests. - **Pupa:** Immobile pupal stage attached to plant surfaces where metamorphosis to the adult occurs. - **Adult:** Winged beetle that continues predation and also visits flowers for pollen and nectar. ## Diet and predators - Young eat: Primarily aphids, small soft-bodied insects, and insect eggs - Adults eat: Aphids and other small pests, supplemented with pollen and nectar - Predators of the young: Spiders, predatory insects, ants and parasitoids - Predators of adults: Birds, spiders, larger predatory insects and some ants ## Effect on plants and gardens Adults supplement their diet with pollen and nectar, which can aid pollination; the species reduces pest pressure by eating aphids, scale crawlers, mites and insect eggs. ## Where and when to find it Look on aphid-infested plants, flowers, crop foliage, and garden plants. Eggs and larvae are found near aphid colonies on leaves and stems. - Best time: Spring through early fall; active during warm daylight hours, especially late morning to afternoon. - Tips: Scan undersides of leaves where aphids feed. A close macro photo of the pronotum and elytra helps confirm identification; handle gently to avoid defensive fluid. ## Fun facts - Coleomegilla maculata adults eat pollen as well as aphids; pollen helps them survive when prey is scarce. - They are used and encouraged in integrated pest management because both larvae and adults consume large numbers of aphids. - Adults overwinter in dense aggregations in leaf litter or at the base of trees, often near field edges. ## Frequently asked questions ### Are pink spotted lady beetles harmful to people? No. They are not venomous or dangerous. They may exude a small defensive fluid that can stain or very rarely cause mild skin irritation in sensitive people. ### Do pink spotted lady beetles bite? They do not bite people for food. They can nibble if handled roughly, but this is very uncommon and not harmful. ### Why are they in my house? They rarely come indoors. Adults gather outdoors in leaf litter and sheltered spots to overwinter, and an occasional beetle may wander inside or be carried in on plants. They do not infest homes. ### How do I get rid of them? If you want to remove them, gently sweep or use a vacuum with a soft attachment (release outdoors if possible). Seal entry points and reduce outdoor lighting to lower accidental indoor entry. Avoid pesticides in gardens because this species is a beneficial predator. ### Are they good for my garden? Yes. They eat aphids and other pests and are considered beneficial for gardens and crops. --- More about this species: [iNaturalist](https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/126267), [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coleomegilla_maculata). Identify insects and spiders from a photo with the Insect Scanner iPhone app: https://apps.apple.com/app/id1543946563?pt=126685406&ct=web-markdown&mt=8 Identification from photos is never certain: don't handle insects you can't identify, and get medical advice for bites, stings or allergic reactions.