Over the years, several states, including Georgia, Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi, Maryland, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, have attempted to establish the beetle as a natural control agent of agricultural pests. No such releases have ever been attempted in Kentucky, and their movement here is a natural migration from other states. The first specimens recovered in the United States were collected in Louisiana in 1988. Since then the beetle has increased its distribution to include most areas of the United States and parts of Canada. They often have several black spots on the wing covers, although on some specimens the spots may be indistinct or entirely absent.
Eggs are yellow, oval-shaped, and typically laid in clusters on the undersurfaces of leaves.
The developing larvae are often red and black and shaped like tiny alligators. Larvae complete their development on plants where their food is abundant. The average time from egg to adult is about one month, and there are multiple generations per year. The millions of forested acres throughout Kentucky provide a vast habitat for H. axyridis , which is abundant on trees such as apple, pine, oak, maple, and yellow poplar. The beetle also inhabits ornamental and agricultural crops including roses and tobacco.