It is one of our larger species and is a voracious predator - it is able to out-compete our native species for aphid-prey and will also eat other ladybirds' eggs and larvae. It can have multiple broods throughout the spring, summer and autumn, which also gives it a competitive edge.
How to identify Harlequin ladybirds are extremely variable, with up to 19 black spots on a red or orange background. There is a melanic form, with two or more red spots on a black background. The head has an obvious white triangle in the centre, something that neither of the other two similarly sized species have.
Distribution Widespread in England and Wales and spreading into Scotland. Did you know? In North America, the harlequin ladybird is sometimes known as the 'Halloween bug' because it gathers together in enormous numbers during the late autumn, sometimes invading people's homes. This Asian ladybird was introduced into North America to control aphids, but has spread so successfully over the past 25 years that it is now the commonest ladybird there and is seriously threatening endemic species of ladybird.
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Change cookie preferences Accept all cookies. Skip to content. Read later. You don't have any saved articles. By Tammana Begum. What do they look like? The 'dangers' of harlequins Harlequins have attracted negative publicity since they were introduced in Britain , but in reality they are nothing to worry about. Harlequins in your home Adult harlequins generally hibernate individually in cracks within barks or rocks over the winter.
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