AUTHOR=de Groot Michiel D. , Haelewaters Danny 

TITLE=Double Infections of the Invasive Ladybird Harmonia axyridis

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution

VOLUME=10

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/ecology-and-evolution/articles/10.3389/fevo.2022.756972

DOI=10.3389/fevo.2022.756972

ISSN=2296-701X

ABSTRACT=<p>The dramatic spread of invasive alien species over the past century is considered to be an important threat to ecosystems worldwide. The harlequin ladybird, <italic>Harmonia axyridis</italic>, from eastern Asia, is considered to be one of the most invasive species. Originally introduced across the world as a biological control agent against crop pests owing to its voracious appetite and hardiness, those same qualities have made <italic>H. axyridis</italic> an invader that is difficult to eradicate. <italic>Harmonia axyridis</italic> has proven resilient against a variety of pathogens that have negative effects on other coccinellids. However, little research has examined the effects of simultaneous infections of multiple natural enemies on <italic>H. axyridis</italic>. Here we present the available information on such double infections on <italic>H. axyridis</italic>, and discuss further research directions in this area.</p>