Ladybirds, but not as we know them...
Harlequin larva
Harlequin adult
Harlequin adult- a different colour form
The Harlequin Ladybird reaches St Thomas
By Jess Marsh, RAMM Assistant Curator of Natural History
Anyone fancy a bit of alien spotting? If you were out and about in St Thomas Pleasure Ground during Autumn 2007 you may well, unknowingly, have already seen one.
A sinister secret
The alien I am talking about is not of your common Little Green Man variety, but is something with a much better disguise, and OK, it comes from slightly closer to home. It is the Harlequin Ladybird, or Harmonia axyridis. These little creatures look very much like our common British ladybirds. However don't let this fool you, for beneath their innocent exterior hides a sinister secret. The Harlequin is believed to be the single most invasive ladybird species known to man. Worries are that it will pose a threat to our native ladybirds and other invertebrates, both by out-competing them for their food, but also by eating them directly (this ladybird has a BIG appetite).
Found in very large numbers in St Thomas Pleasure Ground
The Harlequin was originally from Asia but was introduced to other countries to control pests; from there it spread at a massive rate and is now found in many places around the world. It first arrived in Britain in 2004. In early November 2007 it was finally found to have made its way to Exeter, when Dave Bolton the Curator of Natural History at RAMM spotted one on Upper Paul Street. Not more than a week after this initial sighting, the Harlequin was found in very large numbers in St Thomas Pleasure Ground on the Sycamore Trees in the park. A healthy mixture of larvae, pupae and adults meant that it had been very busy breeding.
The Harlequin ladybird comes in several different colour forms, making it tricky to identify. As well as colour, the main thing that sets it apart from British Ladybirds is its size; it is noticeably bigger than many native species.
Record your sightings of this notorious invader
The adult ladybirds should all be hibernating during the cold winter, ready to emerge in spring. However if you do think you have seen one then please go to the Harlequin website (www.harlequin-survey.org/) to record your sighting, where you will also find help and information on identification. Records of sightings from people like you are very important to keep track of this notorious invader's movements!
Report these invaders, but please DO NOT harm them.
If you need any more information or help with identifications please contact the natural history staff at the Royal Albert Memorial Museum on 01392 665858.