Ladybird like insect found crawling in kitchen on washing Machine.

[brownbread]

I have noticed recently some small insects crawling around in my kitchen, and I found 2 yesterday evening, they looked like ladybirds except they were not red but a horrible grey colour, but their back shape was that of a ladybird.

I am sure I saw a simlar insect that was already dead, but I am positve it had a brown shell, both of those ones I saw last night were crushed thru a kitchen roll, and you could hear a crunching sound, so their shell must not be that soft.

Any ideas anyone?

[Venger]

Like this?


Photo by Walwyn.

If it is, it's a carpet beetle, a domestic pest species. They don't always look so orange

[djackso]

I agree

Carpet beetles (Dermestids) have a variety of habits; they are often found living in natural fibres - hence the name (assuming your carpet is made of wool, I guess)?

[brownbread]

It had that shape, but the colour was more of a dull grey, and I am sure there were black markings on it's back, really though it was like a ladybird but different colour.

It wasn't found in the carpet, it was in my kitchen on the washing machine.

Size, they were around 4mm X 3mm

[djackso]

Oh, I didn't mean to imply they are just found in the carpet - they are found all over the house. That's just how they get the name, I believe. But they like something organic to feed in or on.

I've seen them and thought "weird looking ladybird". Pity we don't have a picture of yours to help with the ID.

[brownbread]

Originally Posted by djackso

Oh, I didn't mean to imply they are just found in the carpet - they are found all over the house. That's just how they get the name, I believe. But they like something organic to feed in or on.

I've seen them and thought "weird looking ladybird". Pity we don't have a picture of yours to help with the ID.

Next time I see one I will try and get a picture on here of it.

[jenna]

Hi their I have been finding these wierd isects that look like ladybirds, and at first i thought they were baby ladybirds that just hadnt developed their colour, I find them everywhere in spring, summer & autum, does anybody know if their harmfull or how 2 keep them out? any thing from anybody would be appreciated thanx

[thunder]

Originally Posted by jenna

Hi their I have been finding these wierd isects that look like ladybirds, and at first i thought they were baby ladybirds that just hadnt developed their colour, I find them everywhere in spring, summer & autum, does anybody know if their harmfull or how 2 keep them out? any thing from anybody would be appreciated thanx

Welcome Jenna. A photo or drawing would be a great aid to identifying your mystery insects

henrya

[squishy]

jenna, you might want to start a new thread, but did it look like any of these:

harlequin ladybird forms

p.s. that font makes my eyes hurt

[jenna]

hi thanx 4 replying and sorry about the font. yes it does 5th row down 2nd one in. do you have an idea what it is? thankyou