Ladybirds (ladybugs for some of our overseas readers) are well known as a means to control crop pests – they eat aphids. However, the invasion of harlequin ladybirds may be putting native species at risk.
The UK has about 46 native species of ladybirds. The harlequins are bigger and eat, among other things, smaller insects – including native ladybirds.
The Harlequin Ladybird Survey, funded by several leading UK scientific bodies, requires help from the public to report and record sightings of harlequins in the UK and Ireland.
The Harlequin Survey website contains details of how to recognise a harlequin and how to report sightings by email or snail mail.
For more information see:
HarlequinSurvey.org
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