Ladybird Wars

The native Irish Ladybird is under threat from a bigger, stronger foreign invader. Yes folks the harlequin ladybird is here and challenging our beloved childhood insect friend.

The harlequin is a large black-spotted reddish or orange ladybird native to south-east Asia, including eastern China and Japan.

Harlequins have been introduced to other parts of the world including Europe to control pest greenfly, mainly in glasshouses. Unfortunately, harlequins have shown an ability to escape and naturalise in new countries. In Europe, North America and elsewhere wild populations have appeared and spread extremely rapidly.

A by-product of their enormous success has been a decline in native ladybirds and many native species in North America have been decimated as a result of harlequin competition.  Not only do harlequins eat their food, but in hard years will also eat the larvae of other species.

Harlequins were first spotted in Northern Ireland in 2007 when one took a lift in on a vegetable consignment arriving in one of our large supermarkets. 

A top expert, Dr Helen Roy talked to the Today Programme this week about the threat these little mites present.