Fungus!

While Bethany and I have been observing lady beetles for parasitoids we noticed something very interesting on many of the Multicolored Lady Beetles (Harmonia axyridis).

Hesperomyces virescens
Fungal infection on Lady Beetle (J. Harwood, 2004)
(http://www.uky.edu/Ag/Entomology/ythfacts/resourc/weebst/wb13/weebfal05.htm)

This is a fairly well documented fungus, and it seems like it doesn't affect the behavior of the lady beetle much unless the fungus is grows too thick around the mouth parts, antennae, or legs of the beetle. We haven't observed this fungus on any other lady beetle species in the lab.

Just another exciting observation! :)