While not a native species,
Harmonia axyridis is not listed as a pest species so there are no regulations about release. Killing them is a pretty futile gestures since there are so many thousands of them about
but especially shouldn't be considered by anyone who is uncertain of the identification: far too many innocent insects are killed by ignorance.
PS: an observation will
not be used without either a specimen, photograph or verification by a competent person.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Wig  Saw my first 19 spot orange (or red - "reddy orange" if you will) and black spotted ladybird yesterday, in Bridgend South Wales, was in an office building, I released it out the window.
Looked on the internet for more information about them and discovered it was probably a harlequin. I don't see the point in killing them, especially as I am not qualified or have good enough eyesight to tell definately what species it is. If I find one again I might keep it in a box until being identified.
I note the Harlequin sighting reporting website, doesn't say to kill or not to kill, doesn't even say to wait before killing until they have responded/verified your sighting. What is their policy on killing them? I guess the ones which are sent to them have to be killed by law, (as they are a non native species), to release them would be illegal.
Should I report my sighting even though I have no photograph? |