Ladybeetles (Coccinellidae). Chapter 8.4

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