Spotlight on the positive effects of the ladybird Harmonia axyridis on agriculture

In the midst of considerable negativity surrounding the ladybird Harmonia axyridis (Pallas), this paper sheds some light on the positive effects that this predator has had on agriculture. Using resources available at the USDA, National Agricultural Library (DigiTop literature database, Navigator platform), I searched the abstracts of published literature on H. axyridis using the search term “Harmonia axyridis” or “Leis axyridis.” After deleting duplicate records, there were 1193 total records on this ladybird in the database dating from 1961–2015. Of this total, 90 records (7.54 %) highlighted positive effects of H. axyridis on agriculture in terms of its spectacular voracity, predation capacity, and effectiveness in suppressing plant pests, primarily aphids and scales, in forests, orchards, crop fields, gardens, greenhouses, and in laboratory bioassays. More concerted research is necessary to develop methodologies to exploit the positive behaviors of H. axyridis, while managing its negative ones.