Armstrong speaks to BDN about multicolored Asian lady beetles
The Bangor Daily News spoke to Charles Armstrong, insect diagnostican with University of Maine Cooperative Extension, about the increased numbers of multicolored Asian lady beetles this year due to Maine’s ongoing drought conditions. While the insects look like harmless ladybugs, multicolored Asian lady beetles are pests that gather in great numbers, especially around warm, reflective areas such as inside windows. When threatened or startled, they will deposit a foul smelling, yellowish fluid that can stain fabric, furniture or walls. “The liquid is basically part of their blood, and they can ooze it out from between the joints of their legs as a defense mechanism. It’s kind of disturbing when you think about it,” Armstrong said. The Western Journal, WGME (Channel 13 in Portland), WMME-FM (Augusta, Maine), WTVL-AM (Augusta, Maine) and the New Hampshire Union Leader shared the BDN report. WBLM-FM (Portland, Maine), WCYY-FM (Portland, Maine), WJBQ-FM (Portland, Maine) and WHOM-FM (Portland, Maine) shared the WGME report.