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Invasive alien species under attack: natural enemies of Harmonia axyridis in the Netherlands

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Abstract

The aphid predator Harmonia axyridis (Pallas) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) is an invasive alien species in Europe and North America with negative effects on non-target species (including a decline of native ladybird populations), as well as fruit production, and human health. It is, therefore, important to find out which natural enemies could be used to reduce their numbers. Knowledge of H. axyridis’ natural enemies is summarised and data collected from the Netherlands over the past ten years are presented. Beetles were sampled from winter aggregations and from spring through to autumn with illuminated screens at night. Natural enemies were not found in samples of H. axyridis from 2003–2007. From 2008 onward H. axyridis adults were infested by: Hesperomyces virescens Thaxt. fungi (summer and winter), Parasitylenchus bifurcatus Poinar and Steenberg nematodes (winter), Coccipolipus hippodamiae (McDaniel and Morrill) mites (winter), and Dinocampus coccinellae (Schrank) parasitoids (summer and winter). Our results indicate that these natural enemies are starting to use H. axyridis as a host, but are as yet not sufficiently abundant to control the population.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank the following people and organisations for their various contributions. Morphological identification natural enemies: C. van Achterberg (Naturalis Biodiversity Center, the Netherlands), R.F. Comont (Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, UK), R.H.L. Disney (University of Cambridge, UK), R.W. Husband (Adrian College, Michigan, USA), G. Karssen (Plant Protection Service, the Netherlands), G.O. Poinar (Oregon State University, USA), and R.A. Samson and J. Houbraken (CBS Fungal Biodiversity Centre, the Netherlands). Molecular assistance: K.K. Beentjes (Naturalis Biodiversity Center, the Netherlands), K.F. LoBuglio and D.H. Pfister (Harvard University, USA), S.J.J. van den Elsen, P.J.W. Mooijman, and P. Verbaarschot (Wageningen University, the Netherlands). Laboratory assistance: E. van Eekelen, J. Stam, and W. van Tol (Wageningen University, the Netherlands). General assistance: C.A.J.M. van Boxel, S.W. Benedictus-van den Berg, L. Hemerik (Wageningen University, the Netherlands), Y. Jongema, K. Oku, M.J. Raak, and S.Y. Zhao (Harvard University, USA). Ladybird collection: Mr & Mrs Brandsma, Mr & Mr. van den Berg, I. Folkertsma, A. Hartman, K. Helling, Mr & Mrs Huijsman, Mr & Mrs van der Kamp, J. van Kemenade, Mr & Mrs Klok, K. Kots, B. Lodeweges, A.J.M. Loomans (Plant Protection Service, the Netherlands), E. van Pelt, H. Spijkers, H. Schep, T. Timmer, and E. Voorhout. Review and commenting on earlier version of the manuscript: T. E. Cottrell (United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Station) and A. Hiscox (Wageningen University, the Netherlands). Monitoring in De Kaaistoep with the illuminated screen was supported with a grant of the Uyttenbogaart-Eliasen Stichting.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Entomology, Department of Plant Science, Wageningen University, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 PB, Wageningen, The Netherlands

    C. L. Raak-van den Berg, Peter W. de Jong & Joop C. van Lenteren

  2. Museum of Natural History, Postbus 924, 5000 AX, Tilburg, The Netherlands

    Paul S. van Wielink

  3. Biometris, Department of Plant Science, Wageningen University, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 PB, Wageningen, The Netherlands

    Gerrit Gort

  4. Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, 22 Divinity Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA

    Danny Haelewaters

  5. Laboratory of Nematology, Department of Plant Science, Wageningen University, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 PB, Wageningen, The Netherlands

    Johannes Helder

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  1. C. L. Raak-van den Berg
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Raak-van den Berg, C.L., van Wielink, P.S., de Jong, P.W. et al. Invasive alien species under attack: natural enemies of Harmonia axyridis in the Netherlands. BioControl 59, 229–240 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10526-014-9561-3

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