Distribution and identification of the harlequin ladybird Harmonia axyridis

Britain has a new ladybird species—and it is distinctly unwelcome. The Harlequin Ladybird Harmonia axyridis arrived from mainland Europe in 2004 and has rapidly established itself over large parts of south-east England. It is an invasive species, native to Asia where its range includes China, Japan, Korea and Siberia. Other recent ladybird arrivals, such as the Bryony Ladybird Epilachna argus, have largely been welcomed as an interesting and unobtrusive addition to our native fauna. This does not apply to the Harlequin, which poses a major ecological threat to native ladybird species and some other insect groups.