Harlequin+Ladybug


 * __[[image:ladybug_1.jpg width="248" height="240" align="left"]]Common Names: __** Harlequin Ladybird, Multicolored Asian Ladybug, Halloween or Pumpkin Ladybug

__**Scientific Name:**__ //Harmonia axyridis//

__**Phylum:**__ Arthropoda


 * __Class: __** Insecta (Insects)


 * __Location: __**This species of lady bugs originates from Asia- brought to North America as a nature pesticide method. Populations are also now in western Europe.


 * __Size: __** On average, Harlequin Ladybugs have a body size of 5-8 mm.


 * __Habitat Description: __** They often feed on insect populations in orchards and forests, but can also reside in crop and large gardens.


 * __Living Requirements: __** Multicolored Asian Ladybugs require large areas of vegetation and also somewhere to overwinter- often times houses. They eat Aphids, thrips, mites, scale insects, and eggs of butterflies and moths, along with other termites.
 * __Life Cycle: __** Harlequin Ladybirds have four distinct life stages: egg, larva, pupa and adult. During the larva stage, the larvae molts four times before entertin an immobile pupal stage. After several day, an adult beetle emerges from the pupal case. Complete development time from egg to adult requires approximately 15-25 days depending on temperature and food resources.


 * __Male/ Female Differences: __**The only way to determine the gender of this species of ladybug is by observing the ventral surface of the last abdominal segment. Male ladybugs' abdominal segment is larger than the females.

**__Facts:__**
 * 1) When threatened, the ladybugs have a defensive reaction known as “reflex bleeding,” in which a yellow fluid with an unpleasant odor is released from leg joints.
 * 2) During overwintering, they are attracted to light colored dwellings and other manmade objects; often creating problems for homeowners.
 * 3) Due this species overpopulation in areas of North America and Western Europe and lack of natural predators, it is considered to be the biggest ecological threat since the introduction of the grey squirrel

**__Human Impact:__** Although they were originally intended for n atural control against harmful plant pests, such as aphids, the Harlequin Ladybird population, or rather over population, has become a problem in some regions of the United States. WIthout the natural population checks and balances that occur within their native Asian range, the ladybugs have been free to reproduce in great numbers.

__Zookeeper's Sources:__ [] [] [] []