Current and potential management strategies against Harmonia axyridis

Abstract

This paper reviews the current and potential methods to control the harlequin ladybird, Harmonia axyridis (Pallas) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), an Asian predatory beetle invasive in Europe and the Americas where it has become a human nuisance, a grape and wine pest and a threat to native biodiversity. Current methods to manage this invasive species include: techniques to mechanically prevent adult beetles from entering buildings in autumn or to remove aggregates of beetles inside buildings, e.g. using various trapping methods; the use of insecticides on buildings or in vineyards to prevent aggregation in houses or on grapes; cultivation practices in vineyards to lower the impact of the ladybird on grape production and wine quality; remedial treatments for wine tainted by the ladybird. Other methods are presently being developed or considered. Semiochemicals could be used as deterrents or as attractants to develop more efficient trapping systems in buildings and open fields. Natural enemies include pathogens, parasitoids, predators and a parasitic mite but few of them show potential as biological control agents. While management methods presently used or under development may eventually solve the problems caused by beetles aggregating in buildings or vineyards, the issue of H. axyridis populations outcompeting native species is much more challenging. Only the sudden adaptation of a native natural enemy or the importation of a natural enemy from the area of origin of the ladybird may M. Kenis (&) Á R.

Natural enemies of the Coccinellidae: Parasites, pathogens, and parasitoids

“…Nevertheless, an ectoparasitic mite (C. epilachnae) has been considered as a potential biological control agent of a phytophagous coccinellid (Schroder, 1982). Recently, an ectoparasitic mite (C. hippodamiae) has been identified that might aid in the suppression of populations of an invasive entomophagous coccinellid (H. axyridis) within an IPM framework (Kenis et al, 2008). A research program to address this proposition is needed but is complicated given the value of H. axyridis as an important predator of sternorrhynchan pests in agricultural landscapes and the low host specialization of the mite.…”

“…This mite also increased overwintering mortality of A. bipunctata males (Webberley and Hurst, 2002;Webberley et al, 2006). Recently, Kenis et al (2008) proposed the use of C. hippodamiae as a biocontrol agent within an integrated pest management program against the nuisance coccinellid, H. axyridis. Before this occurs, a risk assessment on the non-target implications of releasing this polyphagous mite seems warranted.…”

“…Several species of the genus Homalotylus have been recorded as parasitoids of coccinellid larvae in the subfamilies Coccinellinae, Chilocorinae, and Scymninae (Ceryngier and Hodek, 1996). Many have wide host ranges and the rate of parasitism can reach 90-95% within a population (Ceryngier and Hodek, 1996;Kenis et al, 2008). Aprostocetus neglectus specializes on hosts in the subfamily Chilocorinae in Eurasia, North Africa and North America (Ceryngier and Hodek, 1996).…”

“…From 35% to 40% of A. ocellata pupae were parasitized by P. beuki in samples collected from 1998 to 2000 (Durska et al, 2003). Phalacrotophora philaxyridis Disney parasitized H. axyridis in Japan, but additional work on host range is necessary before this can be a viable candidate for biological control of H. axyridis (Kenis et al, 2008).…”

Gregarious pupation act as a defensive mechanism against cannibalism and intraguild predation

“…Pupae may be victims of parasitoids that attack all coccinellid life stages, and some dipteran parasitoids, such as Phalacrotophora sp. (Diptera: Phoridae), are even late prepupal or pupal parasitoids specialists (Osawa, ; Hurt et al ., ; Kenis et al ., ; Riddick et al ., ). Ladybeetle pupae may also be preyed upon by conspecific ladybeetle larvae or by intraguild predators (Osawa, ; Hironori & Katsuhiro, ; Sakuratani et al ., ; Félix & Soares, ; Lucas, , ).…”