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IPM Scouting in Stone Fruits

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Lady beetles
IPM scouting in stone fruits > beneficials > lady beetles
Adult black lady beetle The adult black lady beetle, Stethorus punctum, is black with silvery hairs (about 1 mm). The larva is brown or black with short spines. Both feed principally on mites.

Stethorus overwinters within the orchard in leaf litter around the base of trees. The area in the herbicide strip near the trunk of the tree should not be disturbed from November to mid-April when adults become active.

Pyrethroid insecticide applications made after half-inch green adversely affect Stethorus.
Lady beetle larvae Adult lady beetle
Adult lady beetles are generally oval-shaped, and are red to orange with varying numbers of black spots (5-7 mm long). Pollen is an important part of the diet of some species.
Lady beetle eggs
Lady beetle larvae have dark, elongated bodies with orange markings and well developed legs (5-6 mm).
  Lady beetle eggs are barrel-shaped and laid in clusters.
Additional information
This information was developed from A Pocket Guide for IPM Scouting in Stone Fruits by David Epstein, Larry J. Gut, Alan L. Jones and Kimberly Maxson-Stein. Purchase this in a pocket-sized guide for reference in the orchard from MSU Extension (publication E-2840).
The MSU IPM Program maintains this site as an access point to pest management information at MSU. The IPM Program is administered within the Department of Entomology, fueled by research from the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station, delivered to citizens through MSU Extension, and proud to be a part of Project GREEEN.
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Updated 7/24/07