Hundreds of ladybeetles are gathering around homes and other structures as autumn gets under way in Michigan. During the fall, the beetle congregates on the sides of buildings, enters homes and lands on folks as they walk through their yards. The multicolored Asian lady beetle can be easily distinguished from other species of lady beetles by the presence of a black M-shaped pattern directly behind the head. Adults are large for ladybeetles and are about 1/4 inch long and 3/16 inch wide. Coloration varies from bright orange with up to 19 blackspots in some to dull yellow with pale or no visible spots on others. Because the Multicolored Asian Lady Beetle adults tend to congregate and over winter inside buildings in large numbers, they can become quite a nuisance. Although these ladybeetles may bite, this bite does not seriously injure humans or spread diseases. If crushed, the beetles will emit a foul odor and leave a stain. The dust produced from an accumulation of dead Multicolored Asian LadyBeetles behind wall voids may trigger allergies or asthma in some people.