16 spot ladybird friend or foe

[mrbright]

just had a 16 spot ladybird land on me in the garden, are these native to us or invaders please, sorry usual red and black spots.
any information greatlly received.

[Dogghound]

Sixteen spot ladybirds are white with black spots? These are native yes.

[mrbright]

no this was 16 spots red with black spots definitely.

[Dogghound]

Not a 16 spot ladybird Tytthaspis sedecimpunctata then, are you sure it wasnt a Harlequin ladybird Harmonia axyridis which matches your description and is not native. (Ladybirds are not really identified by the number of spots they have as it can vary within a species).

[mrbright]

have just seen your last thread re harlequin ladybirds, i think it was the same as the last posts ladybirds (harlequins) it had the two white blobs near its head, i googled it but only found an orange version, this one must be the same but was nowhere near as orange as the one i found on the web (infact i would definitely stick with red). the size was approx 6 mil, so i think it must be a harlequin, cheers for your input.
unfortunately my poor old camera does not take good close ups, i need a better camera for my birthday (wife, are you listening)

[Dogghound]

It sounds spot on

The problem with harlequins is they are very variable, they can be black, red, orange, pale, dark, lots of spots to just two spots. They are becoming increasingly common and are very abundant in urban areas, they are a threat to native ladybird species.

[mrbright]

many thanks again, what would be the correct procedure if somebody comes across 1 or more of these invaders, is it better to let them go , on the belief that only one or two wouldnot hurt the environment , or would it be better for all concerned, to exterminate, like we do signal crayfish etc etc.
or is it just a single persons moral dilemna?
or have i just opened a can of worms..

[Dogghound]

No. It would be insignificant to kill them, even if you killed 1,000 it would not make a difference. They are well spread out and in good populations. There have been some local declines in this species which is interesting and it appears native ladybird parasites are turning to this species as a host.

[mrbright]

saves me the moral dilemna,,,phew... thats a relief, cos i doubt i could kill them anyway.