Harmonia axyridis

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Harmonia axyridis

Conservation status
Secure
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Family: Coccinellidae
Genus: Harmonia
Species: H. axyridis
Binomial name
Harmonia axyridis
Pallas, 1773

Harmonia axyridis is a large coccinellid beetle originally native to eastern Asia, but which has been introduced to North America and Europe to control aphids and scale insects. It is now common, well known and spreading in those regions.

It is commonly known as Asian lady beetle in North America, and Harlequin ladybird in the United Kingdom (the latter name because it occurs in numerous color forms). It is also known as the Multicolored Asian lady beetle, and Halloween lady beetle (because it invades homes in October in preparation for hibernation).[1][2]

When the species first arrived the UK, it received the label of "the many-named ladybird". Among the names listed were: Multivariate, Southern, Japanese, and Pumpkin ladybird[3].

Contents

[edit] Description

Harmonia axyridis is a "typical" coccinellid beetle in shape and structure, being domed and having a "smooth" transition between its elytra (wing coverings), pronotum and head. It occurs in three main color forms: red or orange with black spots (known as form succinea); black with four red spots (form spectabilis); and black with two red spots (form conspicua). However, numerous intermediate and divergent forms have also been recorded. The species is typically large (7–8 mm long) and even more dome-shaped than native European species (these characteristics distinguish Harmonia axyridis from native species in the UK). It often has white markings (typically defining an "M"- or "W"-shaped black area) on its pronotum, and usually brown or reddish legs.[2]

[edit] Range

Harmonia axyridis is native to eastern Asia from central Siberia, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan in the west, through Russia south to the Himalayas and east to the Pacific coast and Japan, including Korea, Mongolia, China and Taiwan. As a voracious predator, it was identified as a biocontrol agent for aphids and scale insects. Consequently, it has been introduced into greenhouses, crop fields and gardens in many countries, including the USA and parts of Europe. The species is now established in the USA, Canada, the UK, The Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, France, Germany, Poland, Greece and Egypt.[2]

[edit] North America

This species was possibly established in North America as the result of introductions into the United States in an attempt to control the spread of aphids. Whatever the source, in the last two decades, this insect has spread throughout the United States and Canada and has been a prominent factor in controlling aphid populations.

In the U.S., the first attempts to introduce it took place as far back as 1916. Repeated efforts were not successful. In the early 1980s, aphids were causing significant problems for growers of pecan trees, so the United States Department of Agriculture again attempted to bring the insect into the country—this time in the southeastern United States, using beetles brought from their native region in northeastern Asia. After a period of time, USDA scientists concluded that their attempts had been unsuccessful. However, a population of beetles was observed near New Orleans, Louisiana around 1988, though this may have been an accidental introduction event independent of the original, planned efforts. In the following years it quickly spread to other states, being occasionally observed in the Midwest within 5–7 years, and becoming common in the region by about 2000. The species was also established in the northwest by 1991, and the northeast by 1994, in the former case quite possibly involving additional introductions, rather than reaching there from the southeast. It is reported that it has heavily fed on soybean aphids (which recently appeared in the U.S. after coming from China), supposedly saving farmers vast sums of money in 2001.

Many people now view this species as a nuisance[citation needed], partly due to their tendency to overwinter indoors and the unpleasant odor and stain left by their bodily fluid when frightened or squashed. (It is also currently increasing in Europe to the detriment of indigenous species, due to its voracious appetite which enables them to out-compete and even eat other lady beetles, as it also does in the United States.)

In addition to its household pest status, it has been reported to be a minor agricultural pest (contaminating crops of tender fruits and grapes)[4] in Iowa, Ohio, New York State, and Ontario[4]. The contamination of grapes by this beetle has been found to alter the taste of wine[5].

Native ladybird species have experienced often dramatic declines in abundance in areas invaded by H. axyridis[citation needed].

Despite the troubles the Asian lady beetle causes, many farmers still view it as a beneficial insect[citation needed].

[edit] Europe

In Europe, the species was first seen in Belgium in 2001. It spread fast through western Germany (2002), the Netherlands (2003), northern France (2004), the UK (2004), Poland (2006) and Scandinavia (2007). The species has spread rapidly in France to reach most of the east and north of the country[6]. Elsewhere in Europe, it has been reported in Austria, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Spain and Switzerland[7].

[edit] United Kingdom

The species was first spotted in Essex in 2004 and has since become the fastest spreading alien species on record[8]. The species probably arrived in the UK via several routes: most likely, some flew across the English Channel from France; others have been imported from Europe on flowers and vegetables, and from Canada in packing cases. Large numbers discovered at Battersea, Clapham and Chelsea implicate the channel tunnel rail link (Eurostar) as a route of entry.[2]

There are confirmed sightings from throughout the South East, west to Cornwall and the west coast of Pembrokeshire (Wales), and north to the north Wales coast, north Lancashire, north Yorkshire and south Durham (county), with apparently isolated records in the Orkneys and Perth and Kinross (Scotland) and Northern Ireland[2]. (Its spread is of particular concern as this species has the potential to jeopardize the native species due to its being a very effective aphid predator. When this food source becomes scarce, it will eat the eggs and larvae of other ladybirds, and butterfly and moth eggs and caterpillars.)

The first H. axyridis to be found in Jersey, Channel Islands was located in St Catherines Woods in February 2007. It is presumed that it was blown over from the French coast.

[edit] Elsewhere

The species is also reported from Argentina, Brazil, Egypt, Turkey and South Africa[7].

[edit] Biology and behavior

Life cycle

Asian lady beetles hibernate in cooler months, though they will wake up and move around whenever the temperature reaches about 50°F (10°C). Because the beetles will use crevices and other cool, dry, confined spaces to hibernate, significant numbers may congregate inside walls if given a large enough opening. They often congregate in sunlit areas because of the heat available, so even on fairly cold winter days, some of the hibernating beetles will “wake up” because of solar heating. These large populations can be problematic because they can form swarms and linger in an area for a long time.

The Asian lady beetle, like other lady beetles, uses isopropyl methoxy pyrazine as a defensive chemical to deter predation, but also contains this chemical in its hemolymph at much higher concentrations than many other lady beetle species. These insects will “reflex bleed” when agitated, releasing hemolymph from their legs. The liquid has a foul odor (similar to that of dead leaves) and can cause stains. Some people have allergic reactions, including allergic rhinoconjunctivitis when exposed to these beetles[1]. Sometimes, the beetles will bite humans[1], presumably in an attempt to acquire salt, although many people feel a pricking sensation as a lady beetle walks across the skin. Bites normally do no more harm than cause irritation although a small number of people are allergic to bites[9].

Different patterns

These beetles can sometimes be difficult to identify because of the variations in color, spot size, and spot count of the elytra. The easiest way to identify an Asian lady beetle is to look at the pronotum and see if the black markings look like a letter “W” or “M” (depending on if the marking is viewed from the front or the back). There is more white on the pronotum in this species than in most native North American species.

[edit] Control

Numerous methods of control have been investigated in areas where this beetle has been introduced and causes a threat to native species and biodiversity and to the grape industry. These include insecticides, trapping, removal of aggregates of beetles and mechanically preventing entry to buildings[10]. Methods under development involves the investigation of natural parasites and pathogens, including the use of parasitic sexually transmitted mites and fungal diseases[11].

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c Koch, R L (2003). "The multicolored Asian lady beetle, Harmonia axyridis: A review of its biology, uses in biological control, and non-target impacts". Journal of Insect Science 3: 32. PMID 15841248. http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=524671. Retrieved on 2008-08-10. 
  2. ^ a b c d e The Harlequin Ladybird Survey. http://www.harlequin-survey.org/ Accessed 14 October 2008.
  3. ^ Ladybird Survey page "Harmonia axyridis (Pallas) in Britain" [1] Accessed 7 Jan 2008
  4. ^ ""Midwest Grape Production Guide Bulletin 919-05"". http://ohioline.osu.edu/b919/0011.html. Retrieved on 10-08-2008. 
  5. ^ Pickering, Gary; James Lin, Roland Riesen, Andrew Reynolds, Ian Brindle, George Soleas (2004-06-01). "Influence of Harmonia axyridis on the Sensory Properties of White and Red Wine". Am. J. Enol. Vitic. 55 (2): 153–159. http://www.ajevonline.org/cgi/content/abstract/55/2/153. Retrieved on 2008-08-10. 
  6. ^ Observatoire H. axyridis [2] Accessed 17 August 2008
  7. ^ a b DAISIE Species Factsheet [3] Accessed 17 August 2008
  8. ^ "Ladybird "risk to 1,000 species"". BBC News. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/8124099.stm. Retrieved on 2009-06-30. 
  9. ^ "Medscape". http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/547512?src=mp. Retrieved on 2006-18-18. 
  10. ^ Kenis, Marc, Helen E. Roy, Renate Zindel and Michael E. N. Majerus (2008) Current and potential management strategies against Harmonia axyridis. BioControl 53(1): 235–252. doi:10.1007/s10526-007-9136-7
  11. ^ Roy, HE, PMJ Brown, P Rothery, RL Ware and MEN Majerus (2008) Interactions between the fungal pathogen Beauveria bassiana and three species of coccinellid: Harmonia axyridis, Coccinella septempunctata and Adalia bipunctata. BioControl 53(1): 265-276. doi:10.1007/s10526-007-9122-0

[edit] See also

Search Wikimedia Commons Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Harmonia axyridis
Search Wikispecies Wikispecies has information related to: Asian lady beetle

[edit] External links

[edit] Image gallery

H. axyridis f. succinea

Black variety (f. spectabilis) of H. axyridis

H. axyridis on a plant in the Apiaceae family
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