Harmonia axyridis in Europe: spread and distribution of a non-native coccinellid

Author
Brown Peter M. J.
Adriaens Tim
Bathon H.
Cuppen J.
Goldarazena A.
Hägg T.
Kenis Marc
Klausnitzer B. E. M.
Kovář I.
Loomans Antoon J. M.
Majerus Michael E. N.
Nedved O.
Pedersen J.
Rabitsch W.
Roy Helen E.
Ternois V.
Zakharov I. A.
Roy D. B.
Abstract

<p>Native to Asia, <em>Harmonia axyridis</em> (Pallas) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) is considered an invasive alien ladybird in Europe and North America, where it was widely introduced as a biological control agent of aphids and coccids. In Europe, <em>H. axyridis</em> was sold by various biological control companies from 1995 in France, Belgium and the Netherlands, and was also intentionally released in at least nine other countries. It has spread very rapidly, particularly since 2002, and is now regarded as established in thirteen European countries. The established range extends from Denmark in the north to southern France in the south, and from Czech Republic in the east to Great Britain in the west. In this paper we map the spread and distribution of <em>H. axyridis</em> in Europe, and examine the situation on a country-by-country basis. We report first records of the species in five countries; Spain, Sweden, Denmark, Czech Republic and Italy; and first evidence of <em>H. axyridis</em> establishment in the latter three countries. Despite releases of <em>H. axyridis</em> in Portugal, Spain and Greece, there is little evidence of establishment in southern Europe. It is predicted that the spread and increase within Europe will continue and that <em>H. axyridis</em> will become one of the most widely distributed coccinellids in the continent.</p>

Year of Publication
2008
Journal
BioControl
Volume
53
Issue
1
Number of Pages
5-21
Date Published
02/2008
ISSN Number
1386-6141, 1573-8248
DOI
10.1007/s10526-007-9132-y
Short Title
Harmonia axyridis in Europe
Scheme
Research themes
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