Harlequin LadyBird Threat To 1000 UK Species

The Harlequin Ladybird which has spread to the UK after first being introduced in mainland Europe for pest control, could threaten the 45 native ladybird species and other insects if it is not controlled, according to the BBC. Ladybirds have few enemies, other than parasitic wasps that lay their eggs inside them. Hope rests on a sexually transmitted mite which could be used to artificially infect the ladybird and accelerate reduction of the insects numbers.