From Biological Control to Invasion: the Ladybird Harmonia axyridis as a Model Species [Hardcover]

Harmonia axyridis has been described as the most invasive ladybird on Earth. It has a long history of use as a classical biological control agent in the USA and more recently in Europe. This beetle has been effective at controlling pest insects in a variety of crop systems but it poses unacceptable risks by impacting on non-target species as both an intraguild predator and competitor.

Written by renowned scientists, this book is a synthesis of recent research on H. axyridis and provides informative insights into current perspectives and future directions. Biological control is an essential component of sustainable agriculture but the distinction between a successful biological control agent and an invasive species can be narrow. We hope that lessons can be learnt from H. axyridis.

From biological control to invasion: the ladybird Harmonia axyridis as a model species.- Harmonia axyridis in Europe: spread and distribution of a non-native coccinellid.- Bad side of a good beetle: the North American experience with Harmonia axyridis.- Harmonia axyridis: an environmental risk assessment for Northwest Europe.- Harmonia axyridis in Great Britain: analysis of the spread and distribution of a non-native coccinellid.- Invasion history, habitat preferences and phenology of the invasive ladybird Harmonia axyridis in Belgium.- Phenotypic variation in invasive and biocontrol populations of the harlequin ladybird, Harmonia axyridis.- Predicting the potential geographical distribution of the harlequin ladybird, Harmonia axyridis, using the CLIMEX model.- Harmonia axyridis: What will stop the invader?.- Intraguild predation involving Harmonia axyridis: a review of current knowledge and future perspectives.- Intraguild predation of immature stages of British and Japanese coccinellids by the invasive ladybird Harmonia axyridis.- Chemical protection of Calvia quatuordecimguttata eggs agalƒ/