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Harmonia axyridis
Ladybug Love -- I am happy to see this pair on my morning glory vines. Spider Mites recently invaded and this variety love mites and aphids in addition to other beetles and their larvee. They also eat pollen and nectar. The Asian Lady Beetle comes from a very large family of Ladybugs. Although they were originally introduced into the U.S. for pest control, they are now more common than any other variety of their species in this part of Texas. Their color varies from gold to orange with black spots that can vary in number from none to 22. They can be identified, however, by their black head and white M shaped markings on their head. Asian Lady Beetles come in many forms and colors but the three most common forms are succinea, spectabilis, and conspicua. The breeding pair that I photographed are succinea. (http://www.eol.org/pages/1174381/overvie...) (http://www.discoverlife.org/mp/20q?guide...)
Native to Eastern Asia, but introduced to the U.S. for pest control purposes. In my part of Texas, I see these little jewels just about anywhere there are plants that have small insect pests. I have seen them on my tomatoes, on my morning glories, and on trees.
Although the Asian Ladybird Beetle can be a bit of a pest in the spring and fall when they tend to swarm, their benefits normally outweigh this. When they swarm, they end up indoors and can do damage to furniture and clothing because of their sticky, smelly secretions. Under normal circumstances, this is their defense mechinism because not only does it smell bad, but tastes bad to potential preditors. This is why some sources state that though they were intoduced for pest control, that they are quickly becoming a pest. With few natural enemies, they can quickly become a problem.
Spotted on Jul 6, 2012
Submitted on Jul 6, 2012
5 Comments
Dixie: Consider it done :)
Andi
Just tried to show the other side of the coin on this for a balanced view.
I agree with you: Let nature takes its course and stop human interference which is mostly fuelled by greed nowadays. Which is why the world is in the state it is!
Johan,
I read that on another site and referred to it. I do not kill unless it is to eat, however. If they start threatening my food supply, I might have to reconsider, but for now I have not seen evidence of an over abundance of them or that they are eating anything but Spider Mitrs around my place. I have a problem with Spider Mites right now, so for me, they are doing me a favor.
Seriously though, thank you for the post. You are right, of course. As I stated in my notes, with few natural enemies, they are bound to get out of control. This is what happens when humans mess with nature. This is not the first example where a seemingly harmless creature got out of control due to human interference. I am sure that where they originated, nature provides a preditor to keep them in check. About the only preditor they have here are birds but they taste bad so few birds mess with them. At some point, this issue will need to be addressed and hopefully it is before it is too late to do anything about it. I do not use pesticides, that is why I have a Spider Mite problem, I could easily get rid of them, and probably the Lady Bugs in the process, but I also would do harm to bees and butterflies and other good creatures. I guess I will just have to let nature take care of itself here unless something is suggested that does not involve killing or poisoning. I have plenty of lizzards around here and they eat the ladybugs, I have witnessed it.
These lady bugs are a threat to the local biodiversity: See below.
H. axyridis is a very potent aphid-eater (aphidophage) and thus potentially useful in biological control of pest species. Unfortunately it also has a very large prey-range. Its voracity allows it to eat all aphids, out-competing native ladybirds whose populations decline by starvation. Some formerly common species in Canada are now rare. Furthermore, when it runs out of aphids, it starts eating other invertebrates - other ladybird species, hoverflies, lacewings, butterflies &c. These other species, many of them beneficial, are put at risk. This has happened in N. America and will probably happen in Europe. These problems on a continental scale may be magnified on a small island. (http://www.ladybird-survey.pwp.blueyonde...)
Hi Dixie,
I agree, but they are making new mite killers, so that is a good thing :)