COLEOPTERA > POLYPHAGA > COCCINELLOIDEA > Coccinellidae

The Harlequin Ladybird [Harmonia axyridis] is a non-native evasive species that is now widespread across much of the country and is often found in gardens in greater numbers than the common 7-spot variety. They are not only voracious predators of aphids, but they also eat the eggs and larvae of other insects, including those of other ladybirds. And, they're cannibalistic as both the adults and the larvae will readily eat their own kind as can be seen in one of the photos featured below.

The species is certainly not unique in respect of the number of colour forms that exist, but it does have sufficient variety and intermediates that could lead to possible confusion with other species.

There are three primary forms that have been given names. The first is succinea, which can have yellowish, orange or red elytra with up to 21 black spots, although more usually 15-21. The pronotum is white or cream with a thick black W marking, which may be broken into black spots or smudges. In complete contrast, the spectabilis form has black elytra with four large red spots, the front pair sometimes broken, coupled with a white or cream pronotum that has a large solid black trapezoid central portion. The third, conspicua also has black elytra but, in this form, there are two orange or red spots, each with a central black spot that may be small and contained or merged and adjoining. The pronotum colour and markings are similar to spectabilis.

The following photos show an example or two of each form, starting with a couple of nice bright red succinea and four different orange individuals, including one that's in the process of devouring a larva. Interesting, they all appear to have reasonably consistent markings with 18-21 spots. I only seem to have one photo of form spectabilis, but ignoring the reflection, it's a reasonable record shot. Similarly, with conspicua, because although I can only include two photos, one individual has a pair of broken orange spots, whereas the other has two red spots where the small central black spots are intact.

New page added, Feb.25 (v.1)