Harmonia axyridis

Harmonia axyridis
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Suborder: Polyphaga
Infraorder: Cucujiformia
Family: Coccinellidae
Genus: Harmonia
Species:
H. axyridis
Binomial name
Harmonia axyridis
(Pallas, 1773)
Synonyms
  • Anatis circe Mulsant, 1850
  • Coccinella bisexnotata Herbst, 1793
  • Leis axyridis (Pallas)
  • Ptychanatis axyridis (Pallas)
  • Coccinella axyridis Pallas, 1773

Harmonia axyridis is a large lady beetle or ladybird species that is most commonly known as the harlequin, Asian, or multicoloured Asian lady beetle. This is one of the most variable lady beetle species in the world, with an exceptionally wide range of colour forms.[2] It is native to eastern Asia, and has been artificially introduced to North America and Europe to control aphids and scale insects. It is now common, well known, and spreading in those regions, and has also established in Africa and widely across South America. This species is conspicuous in North America, where it may locally be known as the Halloween beetle, as it often invades homes during October to overwinter.[3] Other names include multivariate, southern, Japanese, and pumpkin ladybird.[4]

  1. ^ a b Abbott, John (2023). Insects of North America. Princeton, New Jersey: Princeton University Press. pp. 295–353. ISBN 978-0-691-23285-0.
  2. ^ "Adalia, Field Guide to Ladybugs of North America on the App Store". App Store. Archived from the original on September 22, 2016. Retrieved 10 March 2018.
  3. ^ R. L. Koch (2003). "The multicolored Asian lady beetle, Harmonia axyridis: A review of its biology, uses in biological control, and non-target impacts" (PDF). Journal of Insect Science. 3: 32. doi:10.1093/jis/3.1.32. PMC 524671. PMID 15841248.
  4. ^ "Harmonia axyridis (Pallas) in Britain". Ladybird Survey. Archived from the original on 2008-01-17. Retrieved 7 January 2008.