English:Harlequin Ladybird
German:Asiatischer Marienkäfer
Danish:Harlekinmariehøne
Date:27/04/2008
Location:Austria, Niederösterreich, Tulln
 
Copyright:Per Hoffmann Olsen
Camera:Canon EOS 30D
Lens:Sigma 150mm 1:2.8 APO Macro
 
Exposure:1/250
Aperture:f/11.0
ISO:320

This Ladybird was introduced as a bio-weapon againts aphids in Europe due to it enormous appetite compared other Ladybird species. Unfortunately it's spreading fast throughout Europe were it outcompetes the European Ladybirds. The researchers fear that the H. axyridis soon will be the only common Ladybird.

Now, more than 12 years later after i took the photo, researchers are more likely to classify the beetle as a pest, because it is increasingly damaging fruit and viticulture in Austria.

Identification Link:

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