Harlequin LADYBIRD on flower Harmonia axyridis Deep red with black spots form The Harlequin is a voracious predator and easily out competes our native ladybirds for food This introduced alien threatens our native ladybird species as well as many other UK insects including butterflies and lacewingsIt comes in a range of patterns or colour variations forms or morph Originally from Asia it was probably imported on flowers from EuropeThe Harlequin problem started in North America where they were thought to be an attractive biological control agent H axyridis is still being sold in the USA and continental Europe for pest controlIts numbers are increasing annually