Characterization of a newly established aggregation of the invasive ladybeetle Harmonia axyridis and current status of the invader in Spain
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Date
2015
Authors
Pons i Domènech, Xavier
Roca, Meritxell
Lumbierres i Bardají, Belén
Lucas, Éric
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Abstract
The multicoloured Asian ladybeetle, Harmonia axyridis (Pallas), an invasive biocontrol agent introduced in North and South
America, as well as in Europe for aphid control, drastically affected assemblages of native coccinellid species, local communities
and people. Although the insect is common in several European countries and it was released in Spain for aphid control in 1995, no
evidence of population establishment has been reported until 2011. In the present paper, 1) we summarize the records of the invasive
ladybeetle in Spain and provide numerous new mentions, and 2) we follow for the first time an overwintering aggregation from
autumn to spring and characterize some individual features which allow us to determine its phenology of the establishment and
spreading. The results establish clearly that: 1) H. axyridis is (until now) restricted to Catalonia (NE Spain) but the invading process
is in progress and the insect is able to occupy different habitats; 2) the ladybeetle overwinters successfully in Spain without significant
natural mortality or parasitism; 3) the form succinea represents 73-81% of the overwintering individuals, and 4) the invasion
takes probably its origin from Southern France. The potential impact of the invasion by H. axyridis in Spain is discussed.
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Spanish Journal of Agricultural Research, 2015, vol. 13, núm. 2