The history of Harmonia axyridis (Pallas 1773) in Norway

Abstract: The history of Harmonia axyridis and a summary of surveillance and research inNorway till June 2009 are given. H. axyridis was assessed as a potential bio-control agent for usein Norwegian greenhouses in 2001. The risk of establishment outdoors was assessed too high andno permission was given. The first record in Norway was in 2006 when one adult was found onThuja sp. imported from the Netherlands. In late 2007 and throughout 2008 adults were foundindoors/outdoors at several locations in the Oslo-area. Establishment outdoors became evident.Observations in Aust-Agder, Vestfold and Trondheim revealed further spread/introduction to newareas. The bioclimatic potential of H. axyridis was assessed in 2007 by the aid of CLIMEX usingnational agrometeorological data, showing that suboptimal microclimates for the species can befound in the coastal areas of the south. In late 2008 a web-site was launched aiming to engage thepublic to submit observations on-line and has contributed to monitor development of the speciesacross the country. Competition experiments with H. axyridis and Coccinella septempunctata in2008/2009 showed that only H. axyridis eggs and larvae survived when the two species weremixed.