Attack of the killer ladybird!

(Image via Wikimedia Commons)

No, unfortunately, there is not a Godzilla equivalent for ladybird beetles, but there is this funny cartoon.  

Now, on to the science!

 

The Science

Many of us are familiar with ladybugs.  These neat insects, more correctly termed ladybird beetles because they are not true bugs, belong to the insect family Coccinellidae.  This time of year gardeners are especially appreciative of ladybirds as the majority of species consume aphids and other pests, which would otherwise damage beloved garden plants.  However, not all ladybirds are native to the U.S.; Europe also has its fair share of nonnative ladybugs.  Several of these nonnative ladybirds are invasive – outcompeting their native counter parts. 

Asian harlequin ladybird
(Wikimedia Commons)

A recent scientific study published in the journal Science (Vilcinskas et al. 2013) indicates that the Asian harlequin ladybirds (Harmonia axyridis), originally introduced to Europe (and North America) for pest control, are now threatening the survival of indigenous ladybug species.   

Vilcinskas et al.’s found that the Asia ladybird is a carrier of inactive spores produced by an obligate parasitic microsporidia.  Although the parasite does not harm Asian ladybird, it has proven lethal to the native, Seven spot ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata).

 

Seven spot ladybird
(Wikimedia Commons)

Original publication citation:

Vilcinskas A, Stoecker K, Schmidtberg H, Röhrich CR, Vogel H. 2013. Invasive harlequin ladybird carries biological weapons against native competitors.  Science. 340(6134): 862-3.

If you are unable to access the original article, a summary article by R. Williams may be found here at The Scientist.

 

Learn More About Ladybirds & Ladybird Conservation Efforts

Spotted lady beetle on a sedge
inflorescence (By L. Shappell)

First, visit The Lost Ladybug Project - resources therein include:

• Tools for ladybug identification, including this one-page field guide.  
• I used this field guide to ID the ladybird pictured in the adjacent photo; it is an indigenous Spotted lady beetle foraging on a sedge (Carex sp.) at one of my field research sites!
• Tips on how to find and photograph ladybirds
• Instructions on how to share your photos and contribute to their citizen science ladybird surveys

To top if off, ladybirds can walk underwater!

Air packets are trapped in the tiny hairs on their feet.  When the air pockets are combined with a polymer secreted into the hairs they can stay grounded through the force of adhesion.  Learn more in this Nature News article.

(Okay, now I'm thinking Ladybird takes over Atlantis, Godzilla-style!)