They were introduced to control aphids, but they don't--there's a ton here and there are still aphids. Here's how the problem started:
The weather has warmed up, and the insect commonly known as the ladybug has taken over IU. Actually named the "Asian Ladybird Beetle," the little spotted bugs have been wreaking havoc on students whether they are walking to class, trying to eat or just attempting to spend some time in their rooms.
"Honestly, I think I killed over 15 in an hour the other night," freshman Chase Weigt said. "I think they may be coming in the air conditioner or something. All I do know is that every time I kill one, it seems like another just takes its place."
The bugs originally come from Korea and were brought to the country by our own government.
"(The bugs) were introduced a number of years ago by the (U.S. Department of Agriculture) to biologically control aphids," IU Entomologist Dr. Marc Lame said. "(USDA) thought they would be OK, but they got going slow and the USDA forgot about them."
"They turned out to be much better competition than our own ladybugs, and it turns out that they love this part of the world," Lame said. "They are a much worse pest now than the pests they were brought in to alleviate."
Despite the name, these bugs are not very "lady-like." Though the myth that these bugs are bad luck to kill isn't necessarily true, ladybugs seem to be using that myth to their advantage to get away with whatever they please. The bugs can bite, produce noxious odors and even cause allergic reaction.
"I don't care about that old tale about bad luck," freshman Mike Nilles said. "I'll kill them with mirrors if I have to. They are just ridiculous."
The reason why so many of the beetles are out now is because this breed requires a frost before going into dispersal. After the past few weeks' chilly weather and now the sudden warmth, it is prime season for an entourage of beetles.
"They are looking for cracks and crevices for the winter," Lame said.