A COLOURFUL SPOTTED ladybird doesn’t sound much of a threat. According to Ireland’s National Biodiversity Data Centre, however, an Asian of the species could kill off many of our native ladybirds.
The Harlequin Ladybird, otherwise known as Harmonia axyridis, has been spotted for the first time in Ireland in the last month. It was found in both Co Cork and Ashford, Co Wicklow by members of the public who then reported it to the Data Centre.The species is considered to be highly invasive and the fears are that if it takes hold and breeds here, it will lead to the extinction of some of our 15 native ladybird species.
Collette O’Flynn from the National Biodiversity Data Centre told The Irish Times today that the two ladybirds reported so far could be “the tip of the iceberg in terms of a new invasion to the island of Ireland”.
In the UK, concerns over the spread of the Harlequin Ladybird are such that a Harlequin Ladybird Survey website has been established. Members of the public can record their sightings of the species and the site compiles an annual spread map showing the spread and growth of the ladybird. The site says:
There are 46 species of ladybird (Coccinellidae) resident in Britain and the recent arrival of the Harlequin Ladybird has the potential to jeopardise many of these.
The Harlequin Ladybird can be yellow, orange or red, has up to 20 small spots and tend to be larger than our native ladybird species.
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