From biological control to invasion: the ladybird Harmonia axyridis as a model species

Excerpt

The one process now going on, that will take millions of years to correct, is the loss of genetic and species diversity. This is the folly our descendants are least likely to forgive us.

E.O. Wilson (1994)

Biotic homogenisation is considered among the greatest threats to global biodiversity. The rapid increase in introduced exotic species worldwide and the potential of these species to become invasive have now been widely recognised to have ecological and evolutionary consequences (Olden and Poff 2004; Olden et al. 2006). However, many accidentally or intentionally introduced species fail to establish in their new range. Of those alien species that do manage to establish many have negligible effects and some species, often those introduced with agriculture and forestry, are even considered beneficial and desirable (Williamson 1999). The impact of some invaders is unquestionably negative and as such they are designated as invasive alien species (IAS). Harmonia axyridis Pallas (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), “the most invasive ladybird on Earth”, is undoubtedly one such species (Roy et al. 2006). …