Harlequin Ladybird - Harmonia axyridis

The Harlequin Ladybird - Harmonia axyridis - is one of the UK's largest ladybird at 8mm and is widespread across the UK. One of the most invasive insects in the world, it is of Asian origin and first arrived in the UK in 2004, rapidly becoming one of the most common in the country as it can have multiple broods throughout the spring, summer and autumn. It is also a predator being able to out compete native species for food and also eating their eggs and larvae. To explain, it took 100 years for the Grey Squirrel to spread though the UK ... it took the Harlequin less than 10 years. Over 100 different colour patterns have been recorded so identification can be awkward at times. This one was seen at Pennington Flash, Leigh.

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