Bad side of a good beetle: the North American experience with Harmonia axyridis

Abstract

The multicolored Asian lady beetle, Harmonia axyridis (Pallas) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) is a generalist predator of aphids and other soft-bodied insects and has been utilized in biological control programs around the world. Over the last two decades, this species has spread throughout much of the continental USA and southern Canada. Despite the benefits it offers as a biological control agent, H. axyridis is perhaps most well known for its adverse impacts. In this paper we provide a review of the North American experience with H. axyridis, focusing on these adverse impacts, which can be classified into three general categories: impacts on non-target arthropods, impacts on fruit production and impacts as a household invader. The impacts of H. axyridis on non-target arthropods and, to lesser extent, the impacts as a household invader possibly could have been anticipated, due to its generalist feeding preferences and overwintering behavior in Asia. However, it is unlikely that the impacts on fruit production could have been anticipated. Therefore, even in retrospect, it is difficult to predict the potential impacts that an introduced natural enemy might have in its adventive range.

The aphidophagous predator Harmonia axyridis (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) in Greece, 1994-1999

“…An expectation has recently been expressed that, because of some life-history parameters, this species may become a serious competitor of Coccinella septempunctata in particular habitats (Hodek & Michaud, 2008). However, its effectiveness as a biological control agent has been accompanied by an apparently adverse impact on other aphidophagous coccinellids (Adriaens et al, 2003, Koch & Galvan, 2008. In addition, Harmonia axyridis has caused problems in fruit production (Koch, 2003) and as a household nuisance as it can induce allergic rhino-conjunctivitis in some people (Koch et al, 2006, Pervez & Omkar, 2006.…”

Parasitylenchus sp. (Tylenchomorpha: Allantonematidae) parasitizing field populations of Harmonia axyridis (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)

“…After release as a biological control agent, it has colonized most of the North American continent (Koch & Galvan, 2008), and is currently increasing its area of invasion in Europe (Brown et al, 2008). Based on studies of the impact of natural enemies on H. axyridis in the colonized areas, it has been hypothesized that escape from natural enemies is a factor contributing to the high invasiveness of H. axyridis (Roy & Cottrell, 2008;Cottrell & Shapiro-Ilan, 2009).…”

Forgotten natural enemies: Interactions between coccinellids and insect-parasitic fungi

“…However, the role of entomopathogens, including fungi, upon introduced and native species of predators (and parasites) has been largely ignored, whereas, the natural enemy release hypothesis is commonly invoked to explain the successful establishment of pest species (Clay, 2003). Harmonia axyridis is considered an invasive alien species in USA and Europe (Roy et al, 2006b;Brown et al, 2008;Koch & Galvan, 2008) and has been designated pest status in North America (Koch, 2003). Recent research would indicate that H. axyridis is resistant to B. bassiana (Cottrell & ShapiroIlan, 2003Roy et al, 2008b).…”