Ashy Gray Lady Beetles may be one of two color forms. Both are round insects with high dome-like bodies and a glossy sheen. One color variation is a gray with rows of small black dots that cross the wings. The head and pronotum also have black dots. Gray lady beetles are not common, so this variation is visually striking. The other form is black with a large orange-red dot on each wing covering. This variation looks similar to a Twice-stabbed Lady Beetle.
Larvae of this beetle are beneficial to have in gardens and in field crops. The larvae for this species are black with yellow spots on the back and two on each side. They do not have wings at this life stage, so they rapidly crawl all over plants and the ground seeking out insects to eat. Aphids and other plant-harming insects are consumed in large numbers, making this beetle an ally in pest control.©BeetleIdentification.org
The Ashy Gray Lady Beetle is also known by the name(s) of: Ashy Grey Lady Beetle.
The Ashy Gray Lady Beetle is typically 0.1 inches to 0.2 inches (3mm to 6mm) in size and has the following descriptors / identifiers: wings; flying; gray; white; black; yellow; red; spotted; dots; ribbed; hard; shell; segmented; six legs.
Territorial Area Map (Visual Reference Guide)
The map below showcases (in blue) the states and territories of North America where the Ashy Gray Lady Beetle may be found (but is not limited to). This sort of data can be useful in seeing concentrations of a particular species over the continent as well as revealing possible migratory patterns over a species' given lifespan. Some species are naturally confined by environment, weather, mating habits, food resources and the like while others see widespread expansion across most, or all, of North America.
