Allergies to Asian Ladybugs

[Guest guest]

Strange, this is the first year in awhile where I have

not had a bunch of these in the house--or maybe I am just being

optomistic.

Allergies to Asian Ladybugs

What are Asian

Ladybugs?Asian ladybugs, with the scientific

name Harmonia axyridis, were released as a pest-control measure

against aphids in many areas of the United States until 1990. These

insects began to swarm inside houses in the late fall to protect

themselves from freezing weather in the wintertime.

Since then, large populations of Asian ladybugs can be found infesting

houses in Wisconsin, Kentucky, Missouri, West Virginia, and along the

East Coast to as far south as Georgia. Typically, rural and suburban

homes are more commonly affected than homes in urban settings.

What Problems do Asian Ladybugs

Cause?There have been numerous reports and studies

on Asian ladybugs causing allergic symptoms in people, including:

allergic rhinitis

allergic conjunctivitis

chronic cough

asthma

urticaria

Various methods have been developed by research allergists for diagnosing

allergy to Asian ladybugs; these include

skin

testing to extracts made from the ladybugs to

RAST.

How Do Asian Ladybugs Cause

Allergy?Asian ladybugs release an orange-colored

fluid as a defensive measure, which has a foul odor. Proteins from this

fluid, along with dropping and other body parts, likely become airborne,

causing allergic symptoms in susceptible people.

How Common is Allergy to Asian

Ladybugs?In certain areas of the country, such as

West Virginia, positive allergy tests to Asian ladybugs in people seeking

care from an allergist are as high as 21%. This rate of positive skin

tests is nearly as high as positive skin tests to cockroach (27%) and

dust mite (40%) in the same population.

Do Asian Ladybugs Cause Allergy Symptoms

Year-Round?Unlike other common indoor allergy

triggers, such as

dust mites and cockroaches, Asian ladybugs are present in homes

typically from September through March. Therefore, this may be considered

a form of

seasonal allergy, similar to pollens.

How are Allergies to Asian Ladybugs

Treated?Avoidance of Asian ladybugs should be

attempted, and various methods to reduce the infestation of homes by this

insect have been tried. Ensuring that gaps around windows, doors and

porches are sealed will reduce the number of ladybugs entering the home.

Frequent cleaning of the dead insects should also reduce the amount of

insect proteins in the home.

Other

methods to reduce Asian ladybugs have been suggested by pest control

experts, and

traps are

available to capture the insects once they enter the home.

If allergies do occur,

medications aimed at the allergic symptoms can be used in much the

same way as treating allergy to pollens, dust mites and pet danders.

Allergy shots to Asian ladybugs have been successful, but only

experimental at this time.

Want to keep learning? Find out about other

indoor allergens. Sources:

1. Nakazawa T, Satinover SM, Naccara L, et al. Asian Ladybugs(Harmonia

axyridis): A New Seasonal Indoor Allergen. J Allergy Clin Immunol.

2007; 119: 421-7.

2. Albright DD, Jordan-Wagner D, Napoli DC, et al. Multicolored Asian

Lady Beetle Hypersensitivity: A Case Series and Allergist Survey. Ann

Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2006; 97:521-7.