Ladybeetles (Coccinellidae) Chapter 8.4

The majority of Coccinellidae are beneficial predators and they have received considerable research attention
because of their potential as biological control agents. Indeed the role of coccinellids as predators of
pest insects has been a major factor in the movement of coccinellids between countries. The commercial
production of coccinellids by biological control companies and local producers led to a rapid increase in
distribution thoughout the 1990’s. To date, 13 alien coccinellid species have been documented in Europe;
11 of these are alien to Europe (two are alien to Great Britain and Sweden but native within Europe).
The distribution of alien coccinellids in Europe mirrors the biogeographical distribution and patterns of
introduction. Some species have dispersed widely; Harmonia axyridis has spread rapidly from countries
where it was deliberately introduced to many others across Europe. The ecological and economic impacts
of alien coccinellids are not well documented. In this chapter we provide an overview of the temporal and
spatial patterns of alien coccinellids in Europe.