Studies show that invasive species are one of the main drivers of biodiversity loss and declination of different species. The Harlequin Ladybug has mostly impacted the 2-spotted Ladybug by taking away shared resource, aphids. Aphids are types of plant lice and the most known are the green, black, and white flies. They are herbivores, thus they feed on plants obviously.
The effects the Harlequins can bring are by depleting a resource (aphids) that eats certain plants to keep the ecosystem in balance. The Harlequin's fierce competition is also a very strong factor leading to high reproduction rates. These imbalances cause researchers to investigate any decline in any species by this invasion and hope no devastation will occur.
Reference Links:
Science Daily
Wikipedia
Posted by Khoa Chu (1)
Interesting post. I was just wondering what about the Harlequin Ladybug makes it a better at "predatory elements and competition"? Are they bigger, faster, reproduce faster etc.?
ReplyDeletePosted by Michael Thomas
Yes the Harlequin Ladybug is overall faster than the native ladybugs when it comes to collecting food due to their vast numbers. With their vast numbers they are able collect more and more resources leaving none for the native Ladybugs.
DeletePosted by Khoa Chu
A species being introduced by humans to a new environment is never a good idea. There are always too many factors to consider, and the risk of the invasive species interfering with the ecosystem is not worth it. I wonder who thought it would be a good idea to introduce these new species, what reasoning could there be for bringing ladybugs to an area already populated by them?
ReplyDeleteRhys Ursuliak
For ladybugs all it takes is a wide and open niche for them to invade. These Harlequin ladybugs are known to spread very quickly for resources and any competition only dulls down the invasion not stop it.
DeletePosted by Khoa Chu