Intraguild predation between the invasive ladybird Harmonia axyridis and non-target European coccinellid species

Abstract

The coccinellid Harmonia axyridis (Pallas) has been used for augmentative and classical biological control in many environments. More recently it has invaded large parts of Europe and negative effects for native populations of aphidophagous coccinellids are beginning to emerge. Here we investigate intraguild predation (IGP) between H. axyridis and eleven native non-target European coccinellids, including less common species which have not been studied so far within this context of non-target effects. When first-instars of H. axyridis were paired with the native species, only Anatis ocellata (Linnaeus) and Calvia quatuordecimguttata (L.) were significantly superior to the former whereas H. axyridis was superior in three cases, i.e. against Aphidecta obliterata (L.), Coccinella septempunctata L. and Hippodamia variegata (Goeze). Non-significant results were obtained for all other pairings. Similar tests with the fourth larval instar revealed stronger IGP rates and H. axyridis was found to be superior in the interactions with Adalia bipunctata (L.), Adalia decempunctata (L.), A. obliterata, Calvia decemguttata (L.), C. quatuordecimguttata, C. septempunctata, H. variegata, Oenopia conglobata (L.) and Propylea quatuordecimpunctata (L.) whereas nonsignificant results were obtained for interactions with two other native species. Another experiment revealed that H. axyridis was able to prey more successfully upon egg of most native coccinellid species than vice versa. However, C. quatuordecimguttata eggs seem to be more protected against predation than those of the other species. Survival of first-instar H. axyridis was higher on conspecific eggs compared to eggs of any other species tested. Our results suggest that H. axyridis may become a threat to a wide range of native aphidophagous coccinellids sharing similar ecological niches except species showing high potential for chemical or physical protection.

Predators and parasitoids of the harlequin ladybird, Harmonia axyridis, in its native range and invaded areas

“…These features seem to result in unidirectional IGP for encounters between H. axyridis and A. ocellata in which the latter dominates. The importance of spiny larval projections for anti-predator defence and probability to win in intraguild confrontation was further demonstrated by Ware and Majerus (2008) and Katsanis et al (2013). They found that spiny larvae of other ladybird species, such as Calvia quatuordeciguttata (L.) or Harmonia quadripunctata (Pontoppidan), although often preyed upon by larvae of H. axyridis, relatively frequently played a role of intraguild predators of the latter.…”

“…Yasuda and Ohnuma 1999;Yasuda et al 2004;Pell et al 2008;Ware and Majerus 2008;Raak-van den Berg et al 2012), little data is available on H. axyridis as an intraguild prey. Indeed, in experiments testing the outcomes of intraguild interactions involving H. axyridis, it usually appears superior to other aphidophagous predators (Yasuda and Ohnuma 1999;Yasuda et al 2004;Ware and Majerus 2008;Raak-van den Berg et al 2012; Katsanis et al 2013). A few exceptions include larvae of the ladybird Anatis ocellata (L.) Katsanis et al 2013) and of the lacewings Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens) (Nedvȇd et al 2010(Nedvȇd et al , 2013 and C. rufilabris (Burmeister) (Michaud and Grant 2003).…”

“…Indeed, in experiments testing the outcomes of intraguild interactions involving H. axyridis, it usually appears superior to other aphidophagous predators (Yasuda and Ohnuma 1999;Yasuda et al 2004;Ware and Majerus 2008;Raak-van den Berg et al 2012; Katsanis et al 2013). A few exceptions include larvae of the ladybird Anatis ocellata (L.) Katsanis et al 2013) and of the lacewings Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens) (Nedvȇd et al 2010(Nedvȇd et al , 2013 and C. rufilabris (Burmeister) (Michaud and Grant 2003). Larvae of A. ocellata are covered with sclerotized spines and, additionally, are larger than larvae of H. axyridis of the same instar.…”

Characterization of a newly established aggregation of the invasive ladybeetle Harmonia axyridis and current status of the invader in Spain

“…In the present study, no H. axyridis has been recorded in maize and alfalfa (two crops where coccinellids are abundant) and this suggests that the invasion of the Asian ladybeetle is recent. However, the invasion of crop fields should be promptly observed, as has happened in other countries, and all these three native coccinellids species are showed to be in disadvantage intraguild predation experiments with H. axyridis Lucas, 2012;Katsanis et al, 2013).…”

“…Ceryngier et al (2004) showed that females of some coccinellid species may have inactive ovaries in early dormancy but sperm in their spermatheca, facilitating an early fertilization process in overwintering sites or nearby them. The lower weight loss in females than in males in the Les Llosses's aggregation may be an indicator that females started their 8 Katsanis et al, 2013), negative impact on them should be expected also in urban landscapes. In Eastern Canada, A. bipunctata has disappeared from urban landscapes since the arrival of H. axyridis (Lucas, pers.…”