I occasionally look at the Texas Gardening forum and someone posted about an encounter with the "biting ladybugs", aka Harlequin Ladybug or Multi-colored Lady Beetle. Often hard to ID because they exhibit many color patterns. This beetle was introduced from Eastern Asia to control aphids. And it does just that. The problems....and there always ARE problems it seems with introduced species.....is it is fast overtaking our native species in sheer numbers and because they are eating them!

This ladybug bites, too, and some people are allergic to the bite.

Research has shown that this ladybug is a pest to the wine industry as well. When grapes are harvested and subsequently crushed, these little guys are often crushed along with the grapes they are protecting from aphids. Pleasant thought, huh? These beetles, being reflex bleeders, emit an unpleasant odor from their legs when agitated or crushed, and that is imparted to the grapes and ultimately, the wine, making it unsuitable for consumption, not to mention downright nasty.

Other than the above traits, these ladybugs are beneficial in the control of aphids and scale.

Susan

Here is a link that might be useful: Multi-colored Asian Lady Beetle