High hopes for ladybird survival

Harlequin ladybirds tend to cluster together during winter

An Essex wildlife expert is hopeful the harlequin ladybird will become less of a menace to its British cousins.

The first British sighting of the much maligned insect was in Essex in 2003, since when they have spread across the country to threaten native ladybirds.

However, John Hall from the Essex Wildlife Trust believes their threat could begin to dissipate over time.

"It may take 10 years before it happens but they'll come under the biological control of natural enemies," he said.

Originating from Asia, the harlequin ladybird was introduced to north America and Europe as a natural means of controlling aphids.

However, their threat to native species has made them a target for control themselves.

But John Hall is adamant there is no need for any substantial human intervention to control what he admits are 'pretty voracious things'.

"Why would you kill them? Do you think you would stop them from invading Britain, there's no chance of that," he said.

"What I think normally happens with an 'introduced' animal like this, particularly with insects anyway, is they would come in and, to begin with, go everywhere and none of our natural predators or parasites would know how to deal with them.

Harlequin ladybirds prey on native ladybirds such as the seven-spot

"But I believe there's now one parasitic wasp, which is a parasite of ordinary ladybirds, which is now starting to parasitize the harlequin," he added.

"So they will change their diet a bit and then they'll probably bring them [the harlequin] under control; I hope that will happen anyway."

To hear more about the harlequin ladybird, listen to the Steve Scruton programme on Friday, 6 November from 2pm.