Ladybug+Ladybug+fly+away+home

Species: Harmonia axyridis


Harmonia axyridis otherwise known as the multicolored Asian beetle, the Japanese lady beetle, or the Halloween lady beetle is a type of ladybird (Coccinellidae) that is native to Asia. There these multicolored Asian beetles habitats extends from the Altai mountains in the west, the Pacific Coast in the east, Southern Siberia to north and southern China in the south. However due to their intentionally release into North America in 1916 they have spread across the country and can be found in Mexico and in the U.S.A, (except in places such as Montana, Wyoming, and parts of the southwest) They have also been released into Europe and have been recently seen in South America. [|(1)] As such these ladybugs can be found in various types of trees; such as maple, walnut, willow, and roses in Japan; and they can be found in pine trees, birch, cotoneaster, apple trees, alfalfa, wheat, cotton, tobacco, pecans, copper beech, honeysuckle, and European spindle trees in North America. In these habitats Harmonia axyridis mostly prey on insects such as aphids, psyllids, and scale insects ([|2]) and must avoid becoming hosts for parasites such as Phalacrotophora (a fly (Diptera) parasite) which parasitizes H. axyridis pupae in Asia, and also avoid being eaten by eight species of birds in Russia. [|(1)]They must also be on the lookout for a mate so that they can continue their legacy.

**Description:** The bodies Harmonia axyridis adults are larger than most ladybird species and measure 5-8mm in length and 4-7 mm in width. Their body shape is generally oval and convex; while the color of their elytra (which are the modified and harden fore wings of beetles) can vary (polymorphic). For example the elytra can be pale yellow-orange, bright red-orange, or even black; and can have up to 10 spots on each wing. The elytron also displays a wide transverse "keel" at the apex ([|3]). The pronontum of the adult is usually a white or straw yellow color except for the lateral black spots that are usually joined to form 2 curved lines that make a distinguishing M shape mark or a solid trapezoid shape. The larva of Harmonia axyridis on the other hand are elongated, and slightly flat, and adorned with strong tubercles and spines. The color of a Harmonia axyridis larva is usually black with a bright yellow-orange patch extending over the dorsolateral lobes of abdominal segments (1 to 5 on each side).([|2])

**Life Cycle:**  Harmonia axyridis like all beetles have a holometabolous life cycle that consists of four main stages of development, which are the egg, the larva (which is composed of 4 instars), the pupa and the adult stage. The egg of a Harmonia axyridis usually takes up to 3 days to hatch (as long as the temperature is 26º C). Then if the temperature is still 26º C and the larva has a normal access to it’s food source (which are primarily aphids) the first instar will be 2.5 days, the second instar will be 1.5 days, the third instar will be 1.8 days and the fourth instar will be 4.4 days. During this larva cycle the Harmonia axyridis will spend most of their time eating aphids (which as been estimated to be 23.3 aphids per day) and if food becomes scarce they will even eat each other. (Although H. axyridis can recognize fellow siblings and are less likely to eat a sibling than a non-sibling.). Also It should be noted that the amount of aphids that a larva eats affects it's development rate (For example if the amount of aphids that the larva eats increases than the rate of the development decreases.) After the larva stage is completed the larva becomes a pupa for 4.5 days. Than a new adult Harmonia axyridis emerges from the pupa and typical lives for 30-90 days(depending of the temperature.) However if conditions are right Harmonia axyridis adults can live up to 3 years. It should also be noted that when Harmonia axyridis becomes an adult it’s diet doesn’t change and it continues to eat up to 65 aphids per day. Also during mid-late October (when temperatures drop to a mid freezing) adult Harmonia axyridis will go on a great and long distance migration to overwintering sites. Then when the temperature warms up and spring arrives the adults will locate a mate and leave the overwintering sites. Then a egg carrying female will use semiochemicals to scout and determine if there is a suitable aphid colony for her children to feed on. Once she finds a suitable location she will lay her eggs, which are usually 20 to 30 eggs per batch, (Under lab conditions she can lay 3,819 eggs at a rate of 25.1 eggs per day) and the cycle begins again. Overall 4-5 generations can be observed per year. [|(1)] 

**Ecological and Human Impact:** The most beneficial impact that multicolored Asian beetles have on humanity and the ecosystem is that they serve as classical biological control agents. (Which means that they prey on organisms that in overabundance are harmful to their surrounding environment) As such they are valuable in protecting farmers’ crops from harmful pests such as aphids. For example In U.S.A H. axyridis were introduced into the environment at various sites (such as California in 1916, 1964 and 1965; Washington in 1978-1982; Nova Scotia, Connecticut, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Washington D.C., Delaware, Maine, Mississippi, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina in 1978-1981) to help control and eat many aphids and pests that prey upon various crops. In their new home multicolored Asian beetles have protected pecans, apple orchards, citrus plants, sweet corn, cotton, winter wheat, alfalfa, and Tabacco plants from various pest (most of which are aphids.) Also in their natural habitat H. axyridis are considered an important natural enemy of the Aphis glycines, which prey on soybeans. (So through natural predation they protect the soybean farmer’s crops.)[|(1)]However not everybody considers these beetles to be beneficial especially in America where they are considered to be an invasive species. For example some people considered them to be a nuisance since they infests house and other buildings in incredibly large numbers when they are searching for overwintering sites, while others say they act like contaminant pests at places such as food service, industry, and research institutions. In fact as many as thousands of ladybugs can be found in a single home, and aggregate inside buildings, which in turn causes cosmetic damage. Another thing is that sometimes multicolored Asian beetles will bite and/or cause allergic reactions in people. Overall despite the risk H. axyridis are used for reduce aphids in crop fields, greenhouses, orchards and gardens in North America, Western Europe, and Asia ([|3])



This wiki page is By Giangiorgi.L

Bibliography: (1) Koch, R. L. "The Multicolored Asian Lady Beetle, Harmonia Axyridis : A Review of Its Biology, Uses in Biological Control, and Non-target Impacts." Journal of Insect Science 3.32 (2003): n. pag. Insectscience.org. Web. 20 Oct. 2013. . <span style="font-family: Symbol,sans-serif;">(2) Knodel, Janet, Richard E. Hoebeke, and Carolyn Klass. "Multicolored Asian Lady Beetle." Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Department of Entomology. N.p., 12 Dec. 2009. Web. 20 Oct. 2013. <http://ext.entomology.cornell.edu/idl/upload/Multicolored-Asian-Lady-Beetle.pdf> <span style="font-family: Symbol,sans-serif;">(3) Koch, Robert. "Harmonia Axyridis." Ed. Etienne Branquart. Global Invasive Species Database. Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG) of the IUCN Species Survival Commission, 23 Feb. 2011. Web. 20 Oct. 2013. <http://www.issg.org/database/species/ecology.asp?si=668>.

<span style="font-family: Symbol,sans-serif;">Bibliography for images: <span style="font-family: Symbol,sans-serif;">Fig 1: Storch Hedwig (photographer) 19 December 2010 (web photo) Retrieved 3 Nov 2013 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Harmonia_axyridis01.jpg <span style="font-family: Symbol,sans-serif;">Fig 2: Pudding4brains (photographer) 7 June 2007 (web photo). Retrieved 3 Nov 2013 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:HarAxy_ontwikkeling.jpg <span style="font-family: Symbol,sans-serif;">Fig 3: Yanabu, Leanne (publisher) "The Asian Lady Bug (Harmonia axyridis) eating aphids." (2013.) (Photograph.) University of New Mexico, Albuquerque.KBS LTER. Retrieved 3 Nov 2013 from <span style="font-family: Symbol,sans-serif;">http://www.lternet.edu/node/49501.