Insectum non grata: the harlequin ladybird, Harmonia axyridis (Pallas, 1773) (Coleoptera, Coccinellidae) in Turkey

Authors: AHMET KARATAŞ, AYŞEGÜL KARATAŞ, NİZAMETTİN YAVUZ, ELİF DENİZ ÜLKER, ÖZGÜR KOÇAK, BURAK AKBABA

Abstract: The Harlequin Ladybird, Harmonia axyridis (Pallas, 1773), is native to Eastern Asia but it has been introduced to many countries in Africa, America, and Eurasia. In Turkey, H. axyridis is one of the most fast-spreading invasive alien species. Since the collection of the first specimens in 2010, H. axyridis spread almost all over the country. The species spreads fast in Turkey according to the new records, obtained originally from the field studies and the citizen science data. It was recorded for the first time from 19 of 81 Turkish provinces (Ankara, Antalya, Balıkesir, Bolu, Bursa, İstanbul, İzmir, Karaman, Kastamonu, Kırklareli, Kocaeli, Muğla, Rize, Samsun, Sinop, Tokat, Trabzon, Yalova, and Zonguldak) from Aegean, Central and Eastern Black Sea regions. We used the MaxEnt program to predict the current and future potential geographical distribution of this species in Turkey and its surrounding areas. Based on MaxEnt predictions, the majority of this region seems highly suitable for the species.

Keywords: Harmonia axyridis, distribution, MaxEnt, citizen science, invasive species

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