Harlequin Survey

[Rosemarie Parks]

After finding three ladybirds in my garden that I could not identify I searched the net and discovered that they were Harlequins, foreign invaders from North America where they were introduced in 1988. They have spread over much of northwestern Europe and arrived in Britain in summer 2004. Voracious feeders they will eat our native ladybirds when there is a food shortage. Anyone finding a Harlequin ladybird - Harmonia axyridis f. succinea, f. conspicua or f. spectabilis should report the find to Harlequin Ladybird Survey


Rosemarie Parks

[aeshna5]

They are abundant around parts of London, last weekend while beating on Wandsworth Common, we found c.100 Harlequins of all 3 main types, though the succinea are very variable from pale orange to crimson red + spot number/ size also very variable. It was by far the most abundant of 7 ladybird spp we located.

[Paul mabbott]

Yes, important and useful to look out for these and to report them.
A minor correction, the species is Asian and the British invasion was from Europe (can't blame the USA for this invasion) where it was introduced by horticulturalists.

Originally Posted by Rosemarie Parks

foreign invaders from North America where they were introduced in 1988. They have spread over much of northwestern Europe and arrived in Britain in summer 2004. Voracious feeders they will eat our native ladybirds when there is a food shortage. Anyone finding a Harlequin ladybird - Harmonia axyridis f. succinea, f. conspicua or f. spectabilis should report the find to Harlequin Ladybird Survey Rosemarie Parks

[Rosemarie Parks]

Originally Posted by Paul mabbott

Yes, important and useful to look out for these and to report them.
A minor correction, the species is Asian and the British invasion was from Europe (can't blame the USA for this invasion) where it was introduced by horticulturalists.

I quote from the Harlequin Ladybird Survey website:" A new ladybird has arrived in Britain. But not just any ladybird: this is the harlequin ladybird, Harmonia axyridis, the most invasive ladybird on Earth.
The harlequin ladybird was introduced to North America in 1988, where it is now the most widespread ladybird species on the continent. It has already invaded much of of (sic) northwestern Europe, and arrived in Britain in summer 2004......"

A friend of mine in Ohio had his house invaded by them. As he said, "there was an almighty crunch underfoot".

Rosemarie Parks

[Paul mabbott]

Yes, that's correct, it did establish in north America (deliberately introduced) *but* the European establishment was separate (although, actually, one 'harlequin' was intercepted in a crate from Canada). Despite the American experience, it was released in southern Europe from whence it spread northwards (not much eastward expansion yet, apparently). The British population derives in part from flights from Belgium and elsewhere during 2004 and from imports on plants from the low countries. 2004 was the year when its population really exploded in NW Europe and millions were seen around the Belgian coast.
Yes, Ohio seemed to provide the best environment for it. Although it was introduced in SE USA it spread very rapidly northwards (and west) quite deeply into Canada. This isn't surprising because it's home range goes from Siberia to southern China - so it's tolerant of a range of climates.

Originally Posted by Rosemarie Parks

I quote from the Harlequin Ladybird Survey website:" A new ladybird has arrived in Britain. But not just any ladybird: this is the harlequin ladybird, Harmonia axyridis, the most invasive ladybird on Earth.
The harlequin ladybird was introduced to North America in 1988, where it is now the most widespread ladybird species on the continent. It has already invaded much of of (sic) northwestern Europe, and arrived in Britain in summer 2004......"

A friend of mine in Ohio had his house invaded by them. As he said, "there was an almighty crunch underfoot".

Rosemarie Parks