Harlequin Ladybird

Name: Harlequin Ladybird

Scientific name: Harmonia axyridis

Category: Minibeasts

Nature Stars: 20

What are nature stars?

About: A non-native species, originally from Asia, the Harlequin Ladybird first arrived in the UK in 2004, and has rapidly become one of the commonest ladybirds in the country, especially in towns and gardens. The invasive Harlequin is one of the larger species at 8mm, the same size as the 7-spot or maybe even a little larger.

How to identify: They are extremely variable, with up to 19 black spots on a red or orange background. There is a melanic form, with two or more red spots on a black background. The head has an obvious white triangle in the centre, something that neither of the other two similarly sized species have.

Where: Widespread in England and Wales and spreading into Scotland.

Natural Superpowers

• Predator: 90
• Agility: 60
• Rarity: 10
• Cute factor: 70
• Traveller: 40

Fantastic fact: In North America, sometimes known as the Halloween Bug because it gathers together in enormous numbers during the late autumn, sometimes invading peoples homes.

Photograph credit: Photo credit tbc