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September 14, 2006
Achoo! Allergic to cats, cockroaches ... but *ladybugs*?
Asian multicolored lady beetle, Harmonia axyridis.
This variably colored and spotted lady beetle is an effective, natural control for harmful plant pests such as aphids, scale and other soft-bodied arthropods. Still, its tendency to overwinter in homes and other buildings, sometimes in large numbers, may make them a nuisance to many persons.
If agitated or squashed, the beetles may exhibit a defensive reaction known as “reflex bleeding,” in which a yellow fluid with an unpleasant odor is released from leg joints. This reaction generally prevents predators, such a birds, from eating lady beetles. But in the home, the fluid may stain walls and fabrics.
Apparently, the same reaction causes allergies in humans:
A new study conducted by David W. Goetz, MD, of Exemplar Allergy and Asthma, Morgantown, WV, shows that Asian ladybug sensitization can be found in people of all ages and is comparable to cockroach sensitivity.
Goetz's study reviewed approximately 1,400 skin tests from 2001-2004. Skin-test sensitization for Asian ladybugs was 21%. In comparison, cat was 24%, cockroach 27% and dust mite 40%. When people had sensitization to just one allergen, 10% of the time it was for dust mite, 6% for cockroach or Asian ladybug, and 4% for cat.
Posted by Sue at September 14, 2006 06:34 PM
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