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SUMMARY:Tracking an invader: the spread of the harlequin ladybird in Europ
 e and its effects on native ladybirds - Peter Brown\, Anglia Ruskin Univer
 sity
DTSTART:20110311T130000Z
DTEND:20110311T140000Z
UID:TALK29117@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:Dr. Belinda Gallardo
DESCRIPTION:Invasive alien species such as the harlequin ladybird\,\nHarmo
 nia axyridis (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)\, are regarded as one of the prim
 ary threats to global biodiversity.  Native to Asia\, H. axyridis was intr
 oduced in Europe as a biological control agent of\naphids and scale insect
 s.  Since 2001 the species has been one of the fastest spreading invasive 
 species in Europe and is now established in at least 26 European countries
 .  This study investigated the spread and distribution of H. axyridis in E
 urope from the start of the invasion process and examined its effects on n
 ative ladybirds in Britain. In eastern England H. axyridis increased from 
 0.1% to 40% of total ladybirds in three years\, whilst native aphid-feedin
 g ladybirds declined from 84% to 41% of total ladybirds in the same period
 .  By analyses of gut contents\, detection of predation in the field by H.
  axyridis on the 2-spot ladybird Adalia bipunctata was shown using PCR tec
 hniques.  Harmonia axyridis will feed on many native insects\, including L
 epidoptera (butterflies and moths) and work to investigate this is planned
 .\n
LOCATION:Basement Seminar Room\, Department of Zoology \, Downing Street\,
  CB2 3EJ
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