The harlequin ladybirds, an Asian species, are thriving evasively raising concern among the entomologists. It may soon oust the native British ladybird species, although the birds and butterflies have already been threatened.
Initially introduced into the USA and continental Europe for controlling aphids on crops, the ladybirds’ principal food, has now turned as a disaster for its competitive species.
Just three years of its arrival, the invasive harlequin species — Harmonia axyridis — has already invaded Durham in the north, Cornwall in the south-west and Wales in the west. It has already taken over to an astonishing and considerable degree.
The invasive harlequin ladybirds and not only larger, but also more voracious creature than any of Britain’s other 45 ladybird species. They are capable of out-competing all the native species to the extent of pushing the later to extinction!
The harlequin ladybirds have subsequently led to the decline of two blue butterfly species in America, by eating away their eggs as standby food.
The species can be spotted without much effort, for their distinctive orange color with black spots, or the other way round.
True, controlling pests by other predator species is one environmental, effective and cost-effective process, but, what is also needed to be considered is the invasive nature of the natural pest-controlling tools.