The insect also known as the multicoloured ladybird or harlequin ladybird (lat. Harmonia axyridis) belongs to the ladybird family. The second name is derived from the extremely variable colouration of the upper wings in many variations between light yellow and dark red. They often gather in large groups for hibernation. The (mostly 19) black spots can be so pronounced that it appears as if a black beetle is wearing red spots. It is larger than the European species and therefore poses a serious threat to them in the context of ecological balance. The beetle originates from China and Japan and was first used in the USA towards the end of the 20th century and later also in Europe as a beneficial inse ct for biological pest control against, for example, the soybean aphid. Only later did it become apparent that the insect poses a particular problem in viticulture. It invades vineyards in late summer and feeds on the sugar of damaged grapes at harvest time.
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