Cute and Dangerous: Harlequin Ladybug is a Biological Threat

Thousands of insect species are threatened in the UK regions due to a type of ladybug. Introduced into the habitat in 2004 for biological control in solving the aphid pest it feeds on, the harlequin ladybug has proliferated excessively, causing a negative environmental impact.

This is because this insect competed with other species of ladybugs in the British ecosystem, causing their death and declining reproduction of native types. This can hinder the process of an entire food chain in infested sites.

This proliferation of the harlequin species in the region has been caused because the predator feeds on larvae of other insects and ladybugs, and carries with it a deadly parasite that lives harmlessly in its body but contaminates the other species.

Not for bad

Before you go around judging this cute insect, know that the Harlequin Ladybird has become a dangerous predator by accident. Because they are stronger than their British “relatives, ” they do better in the food-seeking competition and are only in the region because they were transported by man there - the species is originally from East Asia.

However, what was supposed to help combat the aphid plague turned out to be a new problem for Britain's environment. Despite the damage the insect has been doing to native ladybird populations, researchers at Cambridge University say harlequin-like natural enemies, such as flies and wasps, are already adapting to attack the Asian species.

In addition to this natural solution, scientists are also betting on a sexually transmitted mite that causes infertility in female ladybugs. Artificial methods for spreading the mite are already being studied by experts at Cambridge University.