Why the difference matters You probably know what a ladybug looks like and may have heard about the Asian lady beetle. The first one is a beneficial insect while the other is a smelly pest. Asian lady beetles (Harmonia axyridis) like those below are not the same insect as the ladybug (Coccinella). It can be difficult to tell the two species apart.
Where Do Ladybug Larvae Come From? Most ladybug larvae will be available as a shipment or a kit, unless you have a local garden center that specializes in beneficial insects. If this is the case, definitely aim to get some local ladybug larvae, since a local grower will know the most about varieties that thrive in your area. However, educational kits from places like Insect Lore ship with live ...
This non-native ladybug is competing with US native lady bugs for resources. They are not the pest that the Asian Ladybugs are to our continent, but they are still causing the decline of the similar looking nine-spotted ladybug and others. Make conditions favorable to native species, and you should not have to purchase insects from other parts of the world. If you must release lady beetles to ...
A thread in the Southwest Gardening forum, titled Native Arizona Ladybugs? Alternatives?
A real ladybug has the same set of spots on both wings, in mirror image, but your ladybug can have any pattern of spots you want to give her. Now make her head from a ball of black polymer clay. Depending on how big her body turned out, you'll probably need a ball about half an inch in diameter.