Different colour ladybirds?

Question

When I was little I used to remember my mum saying that I shouldn't touch black ladybirds because they are poisonous. I haven't seen one for years, but why aren't they as nice as red ladybirds? They even look mean.

Answer 1

Don't know about black ones (never heard of, or seen one) - but the rusty-colored ones that tend to swarm certain times of the year here are fairly recent-arriving asian variety...and they do have a little bite, I hear.