I found the adult beetle, its spiny larva and the pupae on the leaves of an oak limb that hangs over the bridge that is just behind the bathroom.
Many of the larvae are attaching to the leaves and entering into an immobile pupal stage. After a few days the adult beetle will emerge.
This beetle was introduced into the United States from Asia in the early 1900’s to control aphid populations and other soft-bodied insects.
Look closely and you can tell them apart from native ladybugs. Most asian beetles have a small white marking behind the head on a part called the pronotum. It is in the middle next to the colored forewings. This forms a prominent black "M" or "W" shape on the front of their bodies.
In the fall, the asian lady beetle will find protected places to congregate and overwinter. They often find their way inside people’s homes and other buildings.
