A ladybird which has inflicted "catastrophic" damage in the US is on the loose in Britain, an expert warned today.
Harmonia axyridis, also known as the harlequin ladybird or multi-coloured ladybug, poses a 'deadly threat' to butterflies, lacewings and many other ladybirds, according to Dr Michael Majerus, of Cambridge University's Genetics Department.
The harlequin is an Asian species which was introduced into north America 25 years ago to fight aphids. Since then, it has spread to Europe and last month was spotted in the garden of the White Lion pub in Sible Hedingham.
"This is without doubt the ladybird I have least wanted to see here," said Dr Majerus. "I knew it was on its way, but I hoped that it wouldn't be so soon. Now many of our ladybirds will be in direct competition with this aggressively invasive species, and some will simply not cope."
Published Tuesday, October 5, 2004
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