Media Release
Release date: 03/04/2018
Harlequin Ladybirds threat to local horticulture
Photo credit: John McLean
Infestations of Harlequin Ladybirds in the Gisborne district could pose a threat to the horiticulture and viticulture
industries.
Originally from Asia, the invasive species was first reported to the Ministry of Primary Industries in Auckland in 2016
and has since been found in the Waikato, Bay of Plenty and Taranaki regions.
Locally it has been discovered in Te Karaka and Matokitoki Valley.
Harlequin Ladybirds are a potential threat to the horticulture industry where they feed on pip fruit, causing blemishes
on the fruit. They are known to cluster within bunches of grapes before harvest resulting in tainted juice.
Harlequin Ladybirds also pose a nuisance to humans where they swarm in buildings and houses. They can bite and cause
allergic rhinoconjunctivitis.
They eat other insect species and compete for food resources, posing a risk to the biodiversity of our ecosystem. They
will eat native ladybirds and also swarm in behives over winter, requiring manual removal.
Due to the highly variable nature of Harlequin Ladybirds they can be hard to distinguish them from other ladybird
species. The M shaped markings between the head and abdomen and two small bumps on the rear of the back are their
identifying features, they are also slightly larger than common ladybirds.
The larvae and pupae have a spikier skin than common spotted ladybirds.
If you find Harlequin Ladybirds, please collect the speciman, photograph it and contact MPI’s free 24-hour pest and
disease hotline on 0800809966.
MPI are tracking their spread and can provide information to growers about the insect and its management.
ENDS