Everything Science Forum

Ladybirds (Commonwealth English), also known as ladybugs (American English, Canadian English) or lady beetles (some scientists favor this) are a family, Coccinellidae ("little sphere"), of beetles; the name is thought to allude to the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Catholic faith. Ladybirds are found worldwide, with over 4,500 species described, more than 450 native to North America alone. Ladybirds are small insects, ranging from 1 mm to 10 mm (0.04 to 0.4 inches), and are usually yellow, orange, or red with small black spots on their carapace, and black legs, head and feelers. As the family name suggests, they are usually quite round in shape. Because they are useful, colorful, and harmless to humans, ladybirds are typically considered cute even by people who hate most insects.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ladybird

 :koala

harmless to humans

Harmless!?  Have you ever been bit by a ladybug?  Let me tell you, IT HURTS!   :o

Are you sure it was a ladybug?

I have them crawl over me all the time, especially when they start collecting around our house as the weather gets cold.

I have never been bitten by a ladybug.

Very sure.  I was quite surprised when I found out it was a ladybug and not a wasp.  The bite didn't swell or anything, but the initial pain was similar to that of a wasp sting.

I think you were not bitten by a ladybug, but by an Asian Lady Beetle, Harmonia axyridis, and not a common ladybug like a Coccinella septempunctata

I'd believe that...

(http://www.cirrusimage.com/Beetles/ladybird_07.jpg)

Today - hundreds, and perhaps thousands of ladybugs landed on our house.  We probably have a colony which has been hibernating every winter under the siding.