Harlequin LADYBIRD - on flower
Harlequin LADYBIRD - on flower (Harmonia axyridis). Deep red with black spots form. The Harlequin is a voracious predator and easily out competes our native ladybirds for food. This introduced alien threatens our 46 native ladybird species, as well as many other UK insects, including butterflies and lacewings.It comes in a range of patterns or colour variations (forms or morph). Originally from Asia, it was probably imported on flowers from Europe.The Harlequin problem started in North America, where they were thought to be an attractive biological control agent. H. axyridis is still being sold in the USA and continental Europe for pest control.It's numbers are increasing annually
Picture No
10859252
Media ID
42931316
Size
5520px x 3715px
(2.2MB)
Credit
© Steve Hopkin / www.ardea.com
Category
NA
Ardea Picture Library
Picture No
10859252
Contributor Ref
SPH-3243





























