Thank you! After further research I've discovered that scale seems to be a local problem this year and these lady bugs are feeding on them. I was just completely freaked by their pupae appearance. Read this about half way down: http://www.crapemyrtletrails.org/pest.ht...
I have these on my Crape Myrtle tree as well in Euless, TX. They seem to be turning the bark into a dark, black-ish color. I thought they were pests but from what I have read they are harmless. Hopefully they wont kill the tree. Have you noticed any harmful effects from these ugly creatures?
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They have been in my yard since spring, helping me.
Thank you! After further research I've discovered that scale seems to be a local problem this year and these lady bugs are feeding on them. I was just completely freaked by their pupae appearance. Read this about half way down: http://www.crapemyrtletrails.org/pest.ht...
They are good lady bugs and feed on pests.
This might be a Cactus Lady Beetle, Chilocorus cacti; Check the underside for correct ID http://bugguide.net/node/view/83002
I haven't noticed any harmful affects. In fact, they seem to be taking care of the scale bug problem we have on the same tree!
I have these on my Crape Myrtle tree as well in Euless, TX. They seem to be turning the bark into a dark, black-ish color. I thought they were pests but from what I have read they are harmless. Hopefully they wont kill the tree. Have you noticed any harmful effects from these ugly creatures?