First reported in Northern Ireland in 2007, it is a voracious predator which is able to out-compete native species and will also consume other ladybirds' eggs and larvae. They are extremely variable in appearance, hence the name, harlequin ladybird and some of its other common names. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Harmonia axyridis, most commonly known as the harlequin, multicolored Asian, or Asian ladybeetle, is a large coccinellid beetle. You will find more detailed information on identifying harlequin ladybirds and distinguishing them from … Harlequin ladybirds are highly variable both in terms of colour and pattern. Details of how to recognize the harlequin ladybird may be found here and there is an excellent pdf file on the identification of native U.K. species available : Many ladybirds are widespread and common. Some have yellow or orange markings and some have hairs or spikes. This comprehensive photographic field guide is the first complete guide to identifying Harlequins and all the other 25 conspicuous ladybird species found in Britain and Ireland. Most ladybird species are classified as beneficial insects that kill aphids, spider mites, whiteflies, Colorado potato beetles larvae, and other insects that destroy crops. The Harlequin Ladybird larva is an alien-looking insect with orange or salmon-pink markings on its black back and upright tufts or spikes of orange and black. The Wildlife Trusts is a movement made up of 46 Wildlife Trusts: independent charities with a shared mission. Identification Guide for Harlequin Ladybird and Common British Ladybirds. During the summer you should be able to make a good list in most gardens, parks and wildlife areas. Identification and recognition of the Harlequin Ladybird The identification of any ladybird suspected as being a Harlequin should be fairly straight forward. It may be red or orange with zero to 21 black spots. Harlequin ladybird is a small to medium sized beetle (1-10 mm long) is usually round or oval. Identification is not always easy, but the large size, the orange-red legs and the distinctive black W-shaped marking on the mostly white pronotum (the bit behind the head) are the most distinguishing features. Harlequin ladybird larvae are black and orange reaching up to about 1cm (½in) in length. Ladybird larvae all generally have the same elongate body shape and most are black or dark grey. Harlequins have two white spots on their thorax. Ladybugs help to keep down populations of aphids that can destroy crops such as potatoes, grain, and legumes. According to some estimates, about 90% of the many thousands of ladybug species are predators. Download the ladybird identification sheet to help you distinguish the harlequin ladybird from other native British ladybirds. Our commitment to Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI), Different types of protected wildlife sites. The Harlequin ladybird is native to Asia but was first spotted in the UK in 2004. A non-native species originating from Asia, the Harlequin ladybird is having a negative impact on our wildlife - it out-competes our native ladybirds for food and also eats their larvae and eggs. So harlequin populations can expand rapidly. Other species of ladybird recorded in Britain. Experts say its an invasive species which often swarms around Halloween. Harlequin ladybirds have been declared the UK’s fastest invading species after reaching almost every corner of the country in just a decade. It can have multiple broods throughout the year which can give it a competitive edge and can therefore spread rapidly. Note: the adult form shown below is an example, as they can come in a variety of colors . Their larvae have been described as 'dumpy elongate' and have long, multi-branched spikes. The descriptions below should help you, and there are lots of ladybird images for you to see at the bottom of the page. Avon Pest Control recommends calling a professional pest controller for advice to ensure you do not accidentally kill a species already in decline.. The only ladybird unaffected by the arrival of the harlequin is the seven spotted ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata) – it is similar in size and has a slightly different habitat. Harlequin Ladybird / Asian Lady Beetle. Form succinea (see three pictures below) has red or orange elytra with 0 - 21 (usually 15-21) black spots. Harlequin ladybirds are the same size as native ladybirds, sometimes a little bigger. Harlequin ladybird Harmonia axyridis.Image: Jacob Littlejohn / CC-BY-SA Eleven-spotted ladybird [Coccinella undecimpunctata[. The commonest forms of Harmonia axyridis (at least in Europe) are shown below. It has a very variable appearance, which can make it difficult to tell apart from some of our native ladybirds! Due to their varied appearance, it can be difficult to identify Harlequin Ladybirds from other endangered native species. However, there are a few potential species which at first glance (or to the inexperienced observer) may appear to be Harlequins. Harlequin ladybug, Japanese ladybug, Halloween ladybug, Asian ladybug or more scientifically correct Harmonia axyridis is a species of ladybug native to Eastern Asia. It is black with between two and four red … Originally from East Asia, it is now an invasive species on four continents and can be recognized by the white cheeks and the black “M” on its face. Native melanic ladybirds are rarely seen and they are usually much smaller. It may all black or black with four or two orange or red spots. Harlequin ladybirds are an invasive species (Harmonia axyridis) first found in the UK in 2004. If its red with precisely 7 black spots, it is a 7-spot ladybird. The female Harlequin lays groups of several oval, yellow eggs. Its spread is being closely monitored (see link below). Thus in some gardens it is now the commonest ladybird. . From these tabs, you can access lists of tribes, genera and species, view a species image gallery, access a ladybird morphology tool (in a new window), use ladybird identification software (LucID), access a compare feature that looks at the main structures of three different genera side by side and finally, use a search function to find ladybird taxa. The Harlequin has a broad diet but predates other ladybirds and has the potential to wipe out some of our native species. Over 100 different colour patterns have been recorded which makes it difficult to identify, especially from the Seven-spot ladybird, which is also variable.. Spots. Since arriving in 2003, the harlequin has spread across the UK. Species needs identification, probably Harlequin ladybird (Harmonia axyridis) the invasive species in UK. The green spaces of our towns and gardens bring nature into our daily lives, brightening our mornings with birdsong and the busy buzzing…, Volunteer to help wildlife in your local area. Image: Simon Nicholas / CC-BY-NC Steelblue ladybird Halmus chalybeus.Image: jacqui-nz / CC-BY-NC Orange-spotted ladybird Coccinella leonina.Image: James Bailey / CC-BY-NC Eleven-spotted ladybird Coccinella undecimpunctata larva. 18mm long. The harlequin ladybird (Harmonia axyridis) is also known as the multicoloured Asian ladybird and the Halloween Ladybird. Basic description of a harlequin ladybird, Distinguishing the harlequin ladybird from other British species, If its less than 5 mm in length, it is definitely, If its red with precisely 7 black spots, it is a, If it is large, burgundy coloured and has 15 black spots, it is an, If it has an orange pronotum, and fine hairs all over the elytra, it is a, If it is black with four or six red spots, two of which are right at the front of the outside margin of the. People in the Isle of Man are asked to help "eradicate" an alien species of ladybird before it "damages the island's ecology". Ladybird Identification: Harlequin Special Posted on May 2, 2012 by Adventures with Wildlife A couple of weeks ago I posted Part 1 of Ladybird Identification , see here :