Pink-Spotted Lady Beetles

Pink-Spotted Lady Beetles (Coleomegilla maculata) are native to the United States and are very common in Missouri. They are fairly small, reaching lengths up to 1/4 of an inch. Their reddish or pinkish colored bodies are somewhat elongated with 6 individual spots on their elytra. The area directly behind the head can range in color from yellow to pink and has two black triangular markings.
Sometimes in the fall large aggregations of these beetles can be found under leaf litter or within stone walls and other protected sites. They don't seem to flock to our homes in large numbers like the Multi-Colored Asian Lady Beetles do. These ladybugs are much more agreeable than the non-native Asian variety, they do not bite, or give off a musky odor.
In the spring with the return of warm weather they will leave their places of shelter and begin feeding and seeking mates. After mating, the females will lay small clusters of eggs on the leaves of plants. This will generally be done near a ready food supply, like a colony of aphids. The female is capable of laying up to 1,000 eggs in a one to three month period of time. With up to 5 generations per year, they are quite prolific and their numbers are secure.
Look for them in gardens, near agricultural areas, along roadsides, in meadows, and prairies and open fields, where they will be feeding on aphids and other soft bodied insects.