Harlequin Ladybird Project The UK Harlequin Ladybird Survey was
established to track the spread of the invasive alien ladybird,
Harmonia axyridis. The project was established by Centre for
Ecology & Hydrology (CEH), Cambridge University and Anglia
Ruskin University through the NBN Trust and with start-up
funding from Defra. The rapid initiation of this project, in
response to the first UK sighting of the harlequin ladybird
enabled high resolution distribution data to be gathered,
documenting the spread of this species from the time of its
arrival. Volunteer engagement has been critical to the success
of this project. Members of the public register their sightings
of harlequin ladybirds on the Survey website. Records are then
verified by one of the survey co-ordinators through either
digital photographs or ladybird specimens. The website has been
designed to instruct the public in identification and also
provides regular updates on the progress of the harlequin and
related research. The Harlequin Ladybird Surv