Ladybugs in California in May
Yes, May is one of the best months to see ladybugs in California. It is the 2nd busiest month of the year, with 24,127 of the 128,336 sightings logged across the year (18.8%), based on verified iNaturalist records.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Peak month for ladybugs in California
18.8%
of yearly sightings
24,127
records in May
#2
busiest month of 12
128,336
verified records a year
April 23.6%, May 18.8%, June 10.4%. Busiest month is April at 23.6%.
128,336 verified observations of ladybugs in California, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When ladybugs are recorded in California
Peak month
April
30,301 records (23.6% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 4,482 | 3.5% |
| February | 7,469 | 5.8% |
| Marchpeak | 15,208 | 11.9% |
| Aprilpeak | 30,301 | 23.6% |
| Maypeak | 24,127 | 18.8% |
| June | 13,366 | 10.4% |
| July | 7,446 | 5.8% |
| August | 5,580 | 4.3% |
| September | 6,188 | 4.8% |
| October | 6,411 | 5% |
| November | 4,634 | 3.6% |
| December | 3,124 | 2.4% |
Ladybugs you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Seven-spotted Lady Beetle | 28,603 |
| Convergent Lady Beetle | 28,376 |
| Asian Lady Beetle | 22,758 |
| Spotless Lady Beetle | 10,318 |
| California Lady Beetle | 5,128 |
| Twenty-spotted Lady Beetle | 2,307 |
| Western Polished Lady Beetle | 1,989 |
| Ashy Gray Lady Beetle | 1,733 |
In California, May carries 18.8% of the year's ladybugs sightings, about 10.5 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 2nd busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is easing off from April (23.6%) into May, and it heads toward June (10.4%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so May is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The ladybugs most often recorded in California are Seven-spotted Lady Beetle, Convergent Lady Beetle and Asian Lady Beetle. Those counts are annual totals rather than a May split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in May itself.
Which ladybugs you are most likely to see
- Seven-spotted Lady Beetle28,603 records
- Convergent Lady Beetle28,376 records
- Asian Lady Beetle22,758 records
- Spotless Lady Beetle10,318 records
- California Lady Beetle5,128 records
- Twenty-spotted Lady Beetle2,307 records
Plan your ladybug trip in California
Start with live tours near Alcatraz Island, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Alcatraz Island
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main ladybug viewing area.
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Stay nearbyStay near Alcatraz Island
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best ladybug viewing area in California.
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Broader backupBook a ladybug tour in California
Compare guided wildlife tours, boat trips and nature experiences if you want a second travel network beyond the live widget.
Frequently asked questions
Can you see ladybugs in California in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 24,127 of the 128,336 verified ladybugs sightings logged in California across the year, which is 18.8% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see ladybugs in California?+
May is one of the best months. It ranks 2nd of the year and sits inside the peak window of April, May and March.
What month is best for ladybugs in California?+
April is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through April, May and March, based on 128,336 verified observations.
Which ladybugs are you most likely to see in California?+
The most-recorded species in California are Seven-spotted Lady Beetle, Convergent Lady Beetle and Asian Lady Beetle, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See ladybugs in California in other months
More wildlife in California