Asian Lady Beetle (A Field Guide for TSA Campus Woods)

Asian Lady Beetle

Harmonia axyridis

Summary ⁶

Harmonia axyridis is a large coccinellid beetle. Its colour ranges from yellow-orange to black, and the number of spots between none and 22. It is native to eastern Asia, but has been artificially introduced to North America and Europe to control aphids and scale insects. It is now common, well known, and spreading in those regions, and has also established in South Africa and widely across South America.

Habitat ⁷

Harmonia axyridis can be found on many crop species in agricultural areas where it has been introduced. It is often found on deciduous trees, flowering plants, and other plant species found in open areas. This species tends to live in open fields, agricultural areas, and meadows.

Habitat Regions: temperate ; terrestrial

Terrestrial Biomes: savanna or grassland ; forest ; scrub forest

Other Habitat Features: suburban ; agricultural

Associations ⁸

Harmonia axyridis is a host species for a variety of parasites and parasitoids, specifically from the orders Diptera (Strongygaster triangulifer) and Hymenoptera (Dinocampus coccinellae, Oomyzus scaposus, Homalotylus terminalis, Pachyneuron altiscuta). Mites of the genus Coccipolipus, protozoans (such as Microsporidia), nematodes, and fungal species (Hesperomyces virescens, Beauveria bassiana) may also use it as a host species.

Outside its native range, this species can create severe ecological pressures on indigenous Coccinellidae species as they out-compete and utilize resources efficiently. Some of the species most affected are Coccinella transversoguttata, Adalia bipunctata, and Coccinella novemnotata, although others have certainly experienced pressures, as well. They also prey on herbivorous pest species, which helps maintain plant species.

Commensal/Parasitic Species:

Strongygaster triangulifer
Dinocampus coccinellae
Oomyzus scaposus
Homalotylus terminalis
Pachyneuron altiscuta
Coccipolipus
Hesperomyces virescens
Beauveria bassiana
Microsporidia
Nematoida

Behaviour ⁹

Like many insects, Harmonia axyridis communicates via vision and chemical/sensory signals through the release of various pheromones. Many pheromones are used for mating signals, as is the case with many insects. They also use these pheromones to detect other individuals for congregation and hibernation during the winter months. While researchers have found the effects that these pheromones have on behaviors, no research has been done regarding their identification. One identified pheromone, harmonine, is used for defense against predators. Harmonine is produced when attacked and is secreted by reflex bleeding from tarsal joints. Prey are generally found using sight or olfactory detection.

Communication Channels: visual ; chemical

Other Communication Modes: pheromones

Perception Channels: visual ; chemical

Sources and Credits

(c) Luciano 95, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), https://www.flickr.com/photos/giuss95/3438967388/
(c) Udo Schmidt, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), https://s.yimg.com/pw/images/en-us/photo_unavailable_l.png
(c) Katja Schulz, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), http://farm8.static.flickr.com/7098/7162813548_839aa72aa3_b.jpg
(c) Sarefo, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1e/Harmonia.axyridis.with.Laboulbeniales.jpg
(c) Phil Myers, Museum of Zoology, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), https://animaldiversity.org/collections/contributors/phil_myers/classic/mulsantina_picta/medium.jpg
(c) Wikipedia, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harmonia_axyridis
(c) The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://eol.org/data_objects/31397390
(c) The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://eol.org/data_objects/31397398
(c) The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://eol.org/data_objects/31397395

More Info

Range Map

iNat Map

‹ › ×