UK Ladybirds
What is a ladybird?
Anatomy
Life cycle
Species
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Harlequin invasion
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Further information
Harlequin ladybird
(
Harmonia axyridis
)
Size:
5 - 8mm
Basic colour:
yellow-orange, orange-red, red or black
Pattern colour:
orange-red or black spots
Number of spots:
0-21
Spot fusions:
sometimes
Melanic (black) form:
common
Pronotum:
white or cream with up to 5 spots, or fused lateral spots forming 2 curved lines, M-shaped mark or solid trapezoid
Leg colour:
brown
Habitat:
very varied
Host plant:
various, particularly lime and sycamore
Overwintering:
in houses, on rocky surfaces
Food:
aphids, coccids, adelgids, coccinellids, fruit
Other notes:
An invasive alien species new to Britain. Predicted to spread rapidly. Outcompetes other ladybird species and is a major threat to them and some other insect groups.