Emphasis Type="Italic"Harmonia axyridis/Emphasi

Authors: Peter Michael James Brown Helen E Roy Peter Rothery David B Roy Remy L Ware Michael E N Majerus

Publish Date: 2007/11/07

Volume: 53, Issue: 1, Pages: 55-67

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Abstract

Harmonia axyridis Pallas Coleoptera Coccinellidae is native to Asia and was widely introduced as a biocontrol agent of aphids and coccids in Europe and North America In Europe H axyridis is considered to be an invasive alien species Although not known to have been deliberately introduced to Great Britain it was first recorded there in 2004 in southeast England Harmonia axyridis arrived in Great Britain by various means primarily from mainland Europe but also from Canada Extensive national and local media coverage and a dedicated website http//wwwharlequinsurveyorg facilitated public involvement in recording H axyridis in Great Britain in excess of 4000 verified records of the species were received between 2004 and 2006 Through detailed mapping the objective of our study was to quantify and analyse the spread of H axyridis in its early stages of invasion in Great Britain Our data shows that between 2004 and 2006 the species spread north through Great Britain at the rate of 58 km year1 and west at the rate of 1445 km year1 In England H axyridis spread north to Yorkshire and west to Cornwall by the end of 2006 and also reached Wales Recorded occurrence of one or more H axyridis individuals at larval pupal and/or adult stage in 10 km squares in Great Britain was 2004—51 2005—149 2006—447 Records of juvenile H axyridis extend through most of the recorded British range of the species and we present evidence of bivoltinism in the population in 2006We extend our thanks to all of the following who have helped to make the Harlequin Ladybird Survey a success the thousands of naturalists and members of the British public who have provided records Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs National Biodiversity Network Trust Joint Nature Conservation Committee Natural Environment Research Council University of Cambridge and Anglia Ruskin University for funding and support Paul Mabbott and recorders from the London and Essex Ladybird Survey Trevor James Jim Munford and Andrew Brewer of the National Biodiversity Network Trust Mark Hill Cassie Hoyland and Henry Arnold of the Biological Records Centre Ian Wright LauraJane Michie James Waters and Francis Rowland of University of Cambridge Julian Doberski of Anglia Ruskin University and finally Robert Frost and William Grange for records and valuable contributions

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