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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Tifton, Georgia » Southeast Watershed Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #407776
Research Project: Biologically-based Management Systems for Insect Pests and Pollinators in Agricultural Landscapes in the Southeastern Region

Location: Southeast Watershed Research

Title: Harmonia axyridis (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) aggregation in underground artificial overwintering sites.

Author
item O'Hearn, Jonathan

Submitted to: Journal of Entomological Science
Publication Type: Research Notes
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/10/2023
Publication Date: 3/22/2024
Citation: O'Hearn, J.S. 2024. Harmonia axyridis (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) aggregation in underground artificial overwintering sites.. Journal of Entomological Science. Volume Number 59, Issue 2, Pages: 211-215. https://10.18474/JES23-65.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.18474/JES23-65

Interpretive Summary: Asian ladybeetles are considered beneficial insects because they eat many insects that are agricultural pests. During the winter, these beetles must find shelter to get out of cold weather, but a lack of suitable structures around grower's fields cause these beetles to leave agricultural areas to find shelter. These beetles often enter houses where they can become a nuisance and can cause allergies in people. Since it takes time for beetles to leave distant structures and come back to grower's fields this could result in these beetles eating fewer insects earlier in the growing season. Having suitable structures near grower's fields that these beetles can use in winter might lead to earlier pest control and stop them from become pests in people's houses. This study found that the beetles successfully used experimental underground structures during the winter to get out of the cold. The results of this study will help scientists to figure out the best way to use underground structures for ladybeetles around grower's fields.

Technical Abstract: Harmonia axyridis (Pallas) is a generalist predator that was introduced into the United States as a biocontrol agent. If these beetles cannot find suitable overwintering sites in or near agroecosystems they can overwinter in human dwellings. These beetles leaving agroecosystems to find overwintering sites might lead to a reduction in pest control early in the growing season as it takes time for H. axyridis to migrate back to and recolonize cropping systems. Overwintering in human dwelling also cause this species to be considered a nuisance and can cause allergies in people. If overwintering structures were placed in agroecoystems this might negate the negative effects of H. axyridis while leading to earlier presences of the predator in cropping systems. Past research had failed to get H. axyridis to settle in their artificial structures. This study tested to see if underground structures would be utilized by the beetles as overwinter sites. Results found that structures at three of the four sites were successful at attracting H. axyridis to aggregate and overwinter in them. Now that successful overwintering sites can be constructed, further research can be conducted to determine the best way to utilize these structures in agroecosystems.