Ladybeetles (Coccinellidae). Chapter 8.4

• DOI: 10.3897/biorisk.4.49
• Publication Date: 2010-07-30T11:27:41Z
• Authors: Helen Roy; Alain Migeon
• Keywords: Harmonia axyridis; Alien species

The majority of Coccinellidae are beneficial predators and they have received considerable research attention because their potential as biological control agents. Indeed the role coccinellids pest insects has been a major factor in movement between countries. commercial production by companies local producers led to rapid increase distribution thoughout 1990's. To date, 13 alien coccinellid species documented Europe; 11 these Europe (two Great Britain Sweden but native within Europe). mirrors biogeographical patterns introduction. Some dispersed widely; Harmonia axyridis spread rapidly from countries where it was deliberately introduced many others across Europe. ecological economic impacts not well documented. In this chapter we provide an overview temporal spatial