Characterization of Harmonia axyridis (Pallas) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) overwintering sites

Poster (2012, August)

Originally introduced as a biological control agent, the multicoloured Asian ladybeetle, Harmonia axyridis (Pallas) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), has become an invasive pest throughout Europe and North ... [more ▼]

Originally introduced as a biological control agent, the multicoloured Asian ladybeetle, Harmonia axyridis (Pallas) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), has become an invasive pest throughout Europe and North America in the last few years. Although its effectiveness to control aphid and coccid populations was impressive, some negative impacts appeared rapidly, notably on human health. Indeed, to protect themselves from cold temperatures, H. axyridis individuals move inside dwellings and buildings and form large aggregations in concealed portions of structures to overwinter. The aggregating beetles are responsible for some annoyances due to, on one hand, the number of individuals inside homes and, on the other hand, the hemolymph secretions they release when they are disturbed, which can cause allergic reactions. In order to highlight the specific features of infested houses, we investigated a large number of overwintering sites in Wallonia between 2007 and 2011. These sites were characterized through a survey sent to homeowners confronted to invasion problems. This survey was mainly focused on a general description of the infested house (type, colour, infested floor(s), building material), the orientation of the colonized rooms and the position of the beetles’ cluster. The collected data indicate that H. axyridis preferentially selects isolated brick houses with red or white fronts to take shelter. Aggregations are mostly located at the first floor, essentially inside south, west or southwest oriented rooms. Furthermore, ladybeetles generally gathered into wooden windows frames facing south, west or southwest and to a lesser extent, in the upper corners of walls presenting the same orientation. All these results contribute to improve the knowledge on the aggregative behaviour of H. axyridis and could promote the development of more specific and efficient management methods to prevent massive infestations into dwellings, such as artificial shelters or trapping systems located at the outside of buildings. [less ▲]

Flexible aggregative behavior of Harmonia axyridis according to the freshness of area marking in overwintering sites

Poster (2012, July)

The multicolored Asian ladybeetle, Harmonia axyridis (Pallas) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), aggregates inside dwellings and buildings during winter to survive cold. This adaptive behavior causes annoyances ... [more ▼]

The multicolored Asian ladybeetle, Harmonia axyridis (Pallas) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), aggregates inside dwellings and buildings during winter to survive cold. This adaptive behavior causes annoyances to the occupants because of their large number and the induction of allergic reactions. Although this species has aroused a great interest these last years, the factors involved in the selection of its overwintering sites remain misunderstood. The work presented herein was oriented to the study of the non-volatile chemical compounds involved in this aggregation behavior. Chemical analyses revealed the occurrence, in aggregation sites, of an area marking made up of saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons. Behavioral investigations demonstrated that H. axyridis preferentially aggregates in sites previously marked by congeners, indicating the retention potential of this blend on overwintering individuals. In the second instance, the same analyses were performed on an area marking aged of one year. The chemical investigations showed that only saturated hydrocarbons can still be detected after that period of time but the remaining blend does not induce aggregation anymore. This difference of response according to the freshness of the area marking suggests that this species would not be prisoner of the marking previously deposited on the substrate if the surrounding has changed and the site is not suitable anymore. [less ▲]

Rôles des hydrocarbures dans le comportement agrégatif de la coccinelle asiatique, Harmonia axyridis (Pallas) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)

Master's dissertation (2011)

In order to protect themselves against cold and to survive through the winter, the Asian ladybeetle Harmonia axyridis (Pallas) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) forms large aggregates inside dwellings to ... [more ▼]

In order to protect themselves against cold and to survive through the winter, the Asian ladybeetle Harmonia axyridis (Pallas) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) forms large aggregates inside dwellings to overwinter. In this work, the implication of hydrocarbons on the aggregative behaviour of this invasive species has been examined to understand the mechanisms involved in this particular phenomenon. The evolution of non-volatile compounds, proved to be used by H. axyridis in this phenomenon, on one hand to guide individuals to the aggregate ("trail") and on the other hand, to ensure the cohesion of the cluster ("aggregation blend"), has been studied by performing chromatographic analyses and behavioural tests. The results show that the composition of the trail deposited by individuals, and its biological activity on ladybirds, change over months. However, the change in ladybirds’ response towards these trails is not due to a modification of blend attractiveness but well to a change in the physiological state of ladybugs. Furthermore, the effect of photoperiod on the induction of that hivernation state was tested. It was highlighted that only a short photoperiod could not be responsible for the aggregation state of H. axyridis. Then, the maturing process of the aggregation blend was studied, demonstrating that saturated hydrocarbons were more persistent and suggesting their use by ladybirds to join the same aggregation sites year after year. Moreover, it turned out that cuticular hydrocarbons, as well as thigmotaxis, play a role in the aggregation behaviour of H. axyridis. However, this second factor is involved to a lesser extent. [less ▲]