Harmonia axyridis

Harlequin ladybird

Description

The Harlequin ladybird is a predatory beetle native to East Asia. In order to biologically control phytophagous insects, especially aphids, it has been targeted on several continents, including Europe. On the other hand, in many territories and localities it has become an undesirable colonizer in high numbers wintering in human dwellings. The images of the invasive population of the Harlequin ladybird in Europe have a clearly visible transverse bar on the back of the bushes. It distinguishes this type of ladybug from most of our types of ladybugs with the absence of this bar. The length of the body is often over 5 mm. Ladybugs in Central Europe winter at the imago stage, often in large aggregations, mostly in buildings and various man-made objects. Individuals wintering in warm buildings leave the aggregations as early as January to March, starving and dying prematurely due to lack of food. Harlequin ladybird leaves wintering grounds depending on the air temperature in March to April. It is characterized by high fertility and long-lasting fertility, so a single fertilized female laying eggs in clusters of 20 to 80 pieces can establish a new large colony even without male access.