From Biological Control to Invasion The Ladybird Harmonia Axyridis as a Model Species

About this book

Harmonia axyridis has been described as the "most invasive ladybird on Earth." It has a long history of use as a classical biological control agent in the USA and more recently in Europe. This beetle has been effective at controlling pest insects in a variety of crop systems but it poses unacceptable risks by impacting on non-target species as both an intraguild predator and competitor.

Written by renowned scientists, this book is a synthesis of recent research on H. axyridis and provides informative insights into current perspectives and future directions. Biological control is an essential component of sustainable agriculture but the distinction between a successful biological control agent and an invasive species can be narrow. We hope that lessons can be learnt from H. axyridis.

Previously published in BioControl, Volume 53, No. 1, 2008.

Contents

Foreword: H.E. Roy, E.W. Wajnberg. 1. Harmonia axyridis in Europe: spread and distribution of a non-native coccinellid: P.M.J. Brown et al. 2. Bad side of a good beetle: the North American experience with Harmonia axyridis: R.L. Koch, T.L. Galvan. 3. Harmonia axyridis: an environmental risk assessment for Northwest Europe: J.C. van Lenteren et al. 4. Harmonia axyridis in Great Britain: analysis of the spread and distribution of a non-native coccinellid: P.M.J. Brown et al. 5. Invasion history, habitat preferences and phenology of the invasive ladybird Harmonia axyridis in Belgium: T. Adriaens et al. 6. Phenotypic variation in invasive and biocontrol populations of the harlequin ladybird Harmonia axyridis: E. Lombaert et al. 7. Predicting the potential distribution of the multicoloured Asian ladybeetle, Harmonia axyridis, using the CLIMEX model: J. Poutsma et al. 8. Harmonia axyridis: What will stop the invader?: A.O. Soares et al. 9. Intraguild predation involving Harmonia axyridis: a review of current knowledge and future perspectives: J.K. Pell et al. 10. Intraguild predation of immature stages of British and Japanese coccinellids by the invasive ladybird Harmonia axyridis: R.L. Ware, M.E.N. Majerus. 11. Chemical protection of Calvia quatuordecimguttata eggs against intraguild predation by the invasive ladybird Harmonia axyridis: R.L. Ware et al. 12. Pollen as an alternative food for Harmonia axyridis: N. Berkvens et al. 13. Influence of diet and photoperiod on development and reproduction of European populations of Harmonia axyridis (Pallas) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae): N. Berkvens et al. 14. Ladybirds population dynamics in potato: comparison of native species and an invasive species, Harmonia axyridis: J.-P. Jansen, L. Hautier. 15. Current and potential management strategies against Harmonia axyridis: M. Kenis et al. 16. Interactions between the parasitoid wasp Dinocampus coccinellae and two species of coccinellid from Japan and Britain: S. Koyama, M.E.N. Majerus. 17. Interactions between the fungal pathogen Beauvaria bassiana and three species of ladybird: Harmonia axyridis, Coccinella septempunctata and Adalia bipunctata: H.E. Roy et al. 18. Estimation of mortality by entomophages on exotic Harmonia axyridis vs native Adalia bipunctata in northern Italy: G. Burgio et al.

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Biography

Dr Helen E. Roy is an ecologist with the NERC - Centre for Ecology and Hydrology in the UK. She has experience in insect ecology and behaviour and has published widely in this field. Specifically her research interests focus on ladybirds and their interactions with other species including pathogenic fungi. Over the past 14 years Helen has studied such intraguild interactions within the context of biological control. She is currently the convenor of the IOBC WPRS (International Organisation of Biological Control) study group on Beneifits and Risks associated with Exotic Biological Control Agents. Dr Aeric Wajnberg is a population biologist specialised in population genetics, behavioural ecology and statistical modelling. He develops theoretical approaches - mainly based on Monte Carlo simulations - and experiments are conducted in order to verify the predictions obtained. He is also an expert in biological control (past Secretary General of the International Organisation of Biological Control - IOBC), with more than 20 years of work with insect parasitoids. He has already published several books on the use of insect parasitoids in biological control programmes against crop pests.