Harmonia axyridis population study in agroecosystems

The Multicoloured Asian ladybird, Harmonia axyridis (Pallas) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), is one of these species which was intentionally introduced for biological control and has spread from its native range in Central and Eastern Asia to large parts of North and South America, Europe, and Africa. The decline of native species is linked to the spread and the aggressive behaviour of H. axyridis. From 2009, we evaluated the population densities of aphids predator and predator diversities, with a special focus on H. axyridis in agroecosystems of Wallonia (South of Belgium). First, field crops preferences of H. axyridis were determined. Later, changes linked to aphid’s predator populations over time were evaluated. Finally, H. axyridis population changes between two crop farming methods were also evaluated. Samplings performed in agroecosystems highlighted that the community of aphid's predator is composed of few dominant species: three coccinellids (Coccinella septempunctata L., P. quatuordecimpunctata L., and H. axyridis), one syrphid (Episyrphus balteatus De Geer), and one chrysopid (Chrysoperla carnea Stephens). We demonstrated that H. axyridis do not invade all crops at the same rate, maize and broad bean being more infested than wheat and potato at both larval and adult stages. Moreover, H. axyridis populations in maize have strongly increased from 2009 to 2011. Finally, we showed that organic farming do not contribute to increase the abundance of H. axyridis but leads to increase the total abundance of aphid’s natural enemies