24 Types of Ladybugs in North Carolina
North Carolina is home to eight common ladybug species, with the Asian Lady Beetle making up more than half of all sightings across the state. The other major species include the Seven-spotted Lady Beetle, Spotted Pink Lady Beetle, Squash Lady Beetle, Polished Lady Beetle, Convergent Lady Beetle, Twice-stabbed Lady Beetle, and Twenty-spotted Lady Beetle. Each species has its own size, color pattern, and habitat preference. Ladybugs peak in April, May, and June, when gardens, grasslands, and forest edges teem with insects looking for prey. To identify which species you have found, start by counting spots, noting shell color, and observing where it was feeding or resting.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 2, 2026.
- 8
- species recorded
- April, May, June
- peak months
Verified species, source iNaturalist
24 types of ladybugs recorded in North Carolina
24 ladybug species have a verified observation record in North Carolina, each with at least 10 confirmed sightings. The full list, ranked by how often each is recorded, is below.
4 of the 24 shown are recorded as introduced to North Carolina rather than native.
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Also recorded in North Carolina
| # | Species | Scientific name | Records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | Ashy Gray Lady BeetleOlla v-nigrum | Olla v-nigrum | 40 |
| 14 | Spotless Lady BeetleCycloneda sanguinea | Cycloneda sanguinea | 36 |
| 15 | Firefly DuskylingDiomus terminatus | Diomus terminatus | 34 |
| 16 | Seaside Lady BeetleNaemia seriata | Naemia seriata | 34 |
| 17 | Streaked Lady BeetleMyzia pullata | Myzia pullata | 32 |
| 18 | Ten-spotted SpurlegBrachiacantha decempustulata | Brachiacantha decempustulata | 27 |
| 19 | Four-spotted SpurlegBrachiacantha quadripunctata | Brachiacantha quadripunctata | 27 |
| 20 | Loew's Lady BeetleScymnus loewii | Scymnus loewii | 27 |
| 21 | Painted Lady BeetleMulsantina picta | Mulsantina picta | 23 |
| 22 | Thrice-struck Lady BeetleAxion tripustulatum | Axion tripustulatum | 14 |
| 23 | Purple Scale PredatorIntroducedRhyzobius lophanthae | Rhyzobius lophanthae | 14 |
| 24 | V-marked Lady BeetleNeoharmonia venusta | Neoharmonia venusta | 10 |
Plus 33 more recorded only rarely (fewer than 10 verified sightings). Counts from verified iNaturalist observations. Photos by iNaturalist observers, reused under the licence each observer chose.
More on ladybugs in North Carolina:
Real sighting data, source iNaturalist
21,007 verified observations on iNaturalist of ladybug have been recorded in North Carolina, most often in April, May, June.
When ladybug are recorded in North Carolina
North Carolina is home to eight common ladybug species, with the Asian Lady Beetle making up more than half of all sightings across the state. The other major species include the Seven-spotted Lady Beetle, Spotted Pink Lady Beetle, Squash Lady Beetle, Polished Lady Beetle, Convergent Lady Beetle, Twice-stabbed Lady Beetle, and Twenty-spotted Lady Beetle. Each species has its own size, color pattern, and habitat preference. Ladybugs peak in April, May, and June, when gardens, grasslands, and forest edges teem with insects looking for prey. To identify which species you have found, start by counting spots, noting shell color, and observing where it was feeding or resting.
Asian Lady Beetle
The Asian Lady Beetle dominates North Carolina sightings with over 12,975 observations on iNaturalist, accounting for more than half of all ladybug records in the state. They vary in color from pale orange-red to deep orange, sometimes with or without black spots. Most have an M-shaped or W-shaped marking on the pronotum (the section behind the head). Originally imported to control aphids, they have become widespread in gardens, crop fields, and wild areas. They are larger and more aggressive than native species, often surviving winter by clustering in attics, barns, and tree bark. Peak activity runs April through June.
Seven-spotted Lady Beetle
The Seven-spotted Lady Beetle is the second most common species in North Carolina, with nearly 2,956 iNaturalist sightings. It is the classic red-and-black ladybug: a bright red or orange wing cover with seven black spots arranged in a specific pattern. The pronotum is black with two white spots. This species prefers cooler climates and is found throughout gardens, shrublands, and open woodlands. It feeds on aphids, small insects, and soft plant matter. Seven-spotted beetles are active from April through October, with peak sightings during the spring and early summer months.
Which ladybug species are in my garden right now?
The most likely species you will encounter in a North Carolina garden from April through June are the Asian Lady Beetle and Seven-spotted Lady Beetle. The Squash Lady Beetle (883 sightings) specializes in cucurbits and is common in vegetable gardens. The Spotted Pink Lady Beetle (919 sightings) prefers cooler microhabitats and is found near shrubs and leaf litter. The Polished Lady Beetle (545 sightings) is smaller and less conspicuous, often overlooked until you examine plants closely. All eight species are beneficial for pest control, feeding on aphids, scale insects, and small caterpillars.
Spotted Pink Lady Beetle
The Spotted Pink Lady Beetle appears in North Carolina with 919 documented sightings, making it the third most abundant locally. This species has a pale pink or cream-colored wing cover with 22 black spots arranged in rows. They are medium-sized compared to other ladybugs. This species thrives in cooler, damper environments such as forest understory, woodland edges, and gardens with dense vegetation. They feed on aphids and small insects and are particularly active from April through September, with peak activity in spring and early summer.
Squash Lady Beetle
The Squash Lady Beetle accounts for 883 sightings in North Carolina, concentrated in vegetable and ornamental gardens. It is yellow or orange with 12 or 13 black spots and is especially attracted to squash, pumpkin, and cucumber plants. This specialist ladybug feeds on pollen, nectar, and soft plant matter as well as aphids. Unlike most other ladybugs, the Squash Lady Beetle is primarily a vegetable garden dweller. Peak sightings occur from May through August, aligning with the growing season of cucurbit crops. Gardeners find them valuable for controlling early-season aphid infestations.
How do I tell a Polished Lady Beetle from a Seven-spotted Lady Beetle?
The Polished Lady Beetle and Seven-spotted Lady Beetle are both red with black spots, but they differ in size, shine, and spot pattern. The Polished Lady Beetle is noticeably smaller (3.5 to 5.5 mm) and has a glossy, highly polished shell with just 14 spots. The Seven-spotted Lady Beetle is larger (6 to 8 mm) and has a more matte finish with exactly seven spots in a characteristic arrangement. The Seven-spotted also has two white spots on the pronotum, while the Polished Lady Beetle's pronotum is mostly black. Polished Lady Beetles prefer shaded forest edges and woody vegetation, while Seven-spotted beetles are found in open gardens and grasslands.
Convergent Lady Beetle
The Convergent Lady Beetle is represented by 330 sightings in North Carolina, making it a less common but still significant native species. It has a red or orange wing cover with typically 13 black spots. The pronotum is black with two white or cream-colored convergent lines, which give the species its name. This beetle is a voracious aphid predator and is often deliberately released in gardens for pest control. It is found in gardens, grasslands, open woodlands, and agricultural fields. Sightings peak from April through September, with greatest activity during late spring and early summer.
Twice-stabbed Lady Beetle and Twenty-spotted Lady Beetle
The Twice-stabbed Lady Beetle (305 sightings) has a distinctive black wing cover with two large red or orange spots, creating the 'twice-stabbed' appearance. This species feeds on scale insects and soft-bodied insects and is found in wooded areas, gardens, and shrublands. The Twenty-spotted Lady Beetle (247 sightings) is smaller and pale orange to yellow with 20 black spots. It prefers coniferous forests and open woodlands and feeds on small insects and pollen. Both species are less abundant than the dominant Asian and Seven-spotted beetles but are part of North Carolina's diverse ladybug fauna. Both are active from April through September, with peak activity in late spring.
When do different ladybug species appear in North Carolina?
Ladybugs are most abundant from April through June, the peak season for all eight species. April leads with 4,017 sightings, followed by May with 3,664 and June with 2,866. Summer activity (July and August) drops to 1,694 and 1,403 sightings respectively, as many beetles enter dormancy or aestivation during heat. Fall brings a resurgence in October (1,523) and November (1,363) as temperatures cool. Winter sightings plummet to January (322), February (509), and December (481). This seasonal pattern reflects ladybugs seeking shelter, mating, and hibernating during colder months. Activity returns rapidly when temperatures warm in early spring.
Where in North Carolina can I find these ladybug types?
All eight ladybug species range throughout North Carolina, but the Asian Lady Beetle and Seven-spotted Lady Beetle are universally abundant. Garden settings, including vegetable gardens, flower beds, and ornamental shrubs, support all species. Grasslands and open meadows host the Convergent Lady Beetle and Seven-spotted Beetle. Forest edges, woodlands, and the Blue Ridge Mountains support forest-specialist species such as the Polished and Twenty-spotted beetles. The Outer Banks and coastal regions, the Great Smoky Mountains, Pisgah National Forest, and areas along the Blue Ridge Parkway all support healthy populations. Alligator River refuge and its adjacent swamps and pocosins host diverse species. Local parks and nature preserves provide reliable viewing spots during peak season (April to June).
Frequently asked questions
Which ladybug species are in my garden right now?+
The most likely species you will encounter in a North Carolina garden from April through June are the Asian Lady Beetle and Seven-spotted Lady Beetle. The Squash Lady Beetle (883 sightings) specializes in cucurbits and is common in vegetable gardens. The Spotted Pink Lady Beetle (919 sightings) prefers cooler microhabitats and is found near shrubs and leaf litter. The Polished Lady Beetle (545 sightings) is smaller and less conspicuous, often overlooked until you examine plants closely. All eight species are beneficial for pest control, feeding on aphids, scale insects, and small caterpillars.
How do I tell a Polished Lady Beetle from a Seven-spotted Lady Beetle?+
The Polished Lady Beetle and Seven-spotted Lady Beetle are both red with black spots, but they differ in size, shine, and spot pattern. The Polished Lady Beetle is noticeably smaller (3.5 to 5.5 mm) and has a glossy, highly polished shell with just 14 spots. The Seven-spotted Lady Beetle is larger (6 to 8 mm) and has a more matte finish with exactly seven spots in a characteristic arrangement. The Seven-spotted also has two white spots on the pronotum, while the Polished Lady Beetle's pronotum is mostly black. Polished Lady Beetles prefer shaded forest edges and woody vegetation, while Seven-spotted beetles are found in open gardens and grasslands.
When do different ladybug species appear in North Carolina?+
Ladybugs are most abundant from April through June, the peak season for all eight species. April leads with 4,017 sightings, followed by May with 3,664 and June with 2,866. Summer activity (July and August) drops to 1,694 and 1,403 sightings respectively, as many beetles enter dormancy or aestivation during heat. Fall brings a resurgence in October (1,523) and November (1,363) as temperatures cool. Winter sightings plummet to January (322), February (509), and December (481). This seasonal pattern reflects ladybugs seeking shelter, mating, and hibernating during colder months. Activity returns rapidly when temperatures warm in early spring.
Where in North Carolina can I find these ladybug types?+
All eight ladybug species range throughout North Carolina, but the Asian Lady Beetle and Seven-spotted Lady Beetle are universally abundant. Garden settings, including vegetable gardens, flower beds, and ornamental shrubs, support all species. Grasslands and open meadows host the Convergent Lady Beetle and Seven-spotted Beetle. Forest edges, woodlands, and the Blue Ridge Mountains support forest-specialist species such as the Polished and Twenty-spotted beetles. The Outer Banks and coastal regions, the Great Smoky Mountains, Pisgah National Forest, and areas along the Blue Ridge Parkway all support healthy populations. Alligator River refuge and its adjacent swamps and pocosins host diverse species. Local parks and nature preserves provide reliable viewing spots during peak season (April to June).
Keep exploring
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Common questions about ladybugs