The Harlequin Ladybird Reaches Wales
Peter Brown, UK Ladybird Survey
Harlequin Ladybird - Mike MajerusOriginating from Asia and introduced in Europe, this ladybird first arrived in Britain in 2004. Initially recorded across the south-east of England, the harlequin is spreading west and north at an alarming rate. It has reached Lancashire and Yorkshire in the north and Devon and Cornwall in the west. Now Wales has its first record, a single specimen being found near Milford in 2006.
The threat to biodiversity is our main concern, but why?
- Because the harlequin is larger and more voracious than most native ladybirds, it out-competes them for aphids.
- It is not a fussy eater and if aphid supplies run low, it turns to other food sources – including the eggs and larvae of other ladybirds and other insects.
- Populations can grow quickly because the harlequin’s life cycle is faster than that of other ladybirds.
How to recognise a harlequin
- It is big (for a ladybird!) – 6 to 8mm long, which is at least as big as a 7-spot ladybird.
- It may be orange, red or black.
- It may have lots of black spots (15 to 20) or 2 or 4 orange or red spots.
- It normally has brown legs.
A few of the other 25 native ladybird species look quite like the harlequin, but the harlequin is often bigger.
Halequin LadyBird - Phot Mike Majerus
How you can help
By keeping an eye out for ladybirds (harlequins and native species) and recording your sightings, either via our websites or the address below.
UKLadybird Survey, CEH Monks Wood, Abbots Ripton, Cambs, PE28 2LS