Ladybird, ladybird: unravelling the story of an alien invader

Scientists from five institutions have been working to monitor the spread and impact of the invasive harlequin ladybird since its arrival in Britain in 2004. Using stringent and imaginative experiments, the research team are exploring their prediction that over 1000 species in Britain are at risk from this invasive species, and how it might be controlled.

"Invasive alien species are one of the greatest threats to global biodiversity," says Dr Remy Ware from the University of Cambridge. "Using data from the Harlequin and UK Ladybird Surveys, we have a unique opportunity to study the early establishment, spread and adaptation of an invasive species."

Dr Helen Roy from NERC’s Centre for Ecology & Hydrology explains, "Contributions from the public, in the form of a large number of records, have been invaluable for the surveys. Volunteer recorders are critical for our research."

On the exhibition stand, learn how to distinguish harlequins from our native species and see harlequins behaving badly, get up close to them under the microscope, find out how scientists are trying to control the invasion and how you can help by catching the recording bug!

For more information on the Harlequin Ladybird Survey, and UK research on ladybirds, please visit:

• The exhibit's Twitter feed
• Harlequin Ladybird Survey
• UK Ladybird Survey
• Centre for Ecology and Hydrology
• Biological Records Centre
• University of Cambridge, Department of Genetics
• Rothamsted Research
• Anglia Ruskin University, Department of Life Sciences
• University of Hull, Department of Biological Sciences

For further reading about ladybirds, please see:

• Majerus, M.E.N., Ware, R.L. & Majerus, C.A. (2008): A year in the lives of British ladybirds. Published by the Royal Entomological Society for the Amateur Entomologists' Society Bug Club.
• Majerus, M.E.N., Roy, H.E., Brown, P.M.J. & Ware, R.L. (2006): Guide to ladybirds of the British Isles. Field Studies Council Identification Guide. FSC.
• Hawkins, R.D. Ladybirds of Surrey (2000). Surrey Wildlife Trust
• Roy HE and Wajnberg E (eds) 2008. From biological control to invasion: the ladybird Harmonia axyridis as a model species. BioControl 53(1). Springer

The ladybird group would like to thank the following for their support in our research and helping us put this exhibit together:

• Microsoft
• Leica
• NBN
• Field Studies Council

The exhibitors

• Dr Helen Roy, Mr Jim Bacon and Mr Björn Beckmann, Centre for Ecology and Hydrology
• Dr Remy Ware, Miss Laura Jane Michie and Miss Emma Rhule, University of Cambridge
• Mr Peter Brown and Dr Alison Thomas, Anglia Ruskin University
• Dr Judith Pell, Dr Jason Baverstock and Miss Patricia Wells, Rothamsted Research
• Dr Lori Lawson-Handley, Miss Cathleen Thomas and Mr Joseph Burling, University of Hull

See all exhibits from 2009