Invasion of the killer ladybirds

The Environment department have confirmed that the first recorded harlequin ladybird in the Channel Islands was found in St Catherine’s Woods at the start of the month. The ladybirds, which are originally from Asia, are voracious aphid predators which have the potential to kill off local ladybird species by dominating their food sources and squeezing them out of their usual habitat. They have caused widespread problems in the UK and USA, and have been reported as able to bite people and swarm in houses.