First record of the introduced ladybird beetle, Coccinella undecimpunctata Linnaeus (1758), on South Georgia (sub‐Antarctic)

Tichit, Pierre; Roy, Helen E.; Convey, Peter; Brickle, Paul; Newton, Rosemary J.; Dawson, Wayne

Abstract

Biological invasions represent a growing threat to islands and their biodiversity across the world. The isolated sub-Antarctic island of South Georgia in the South Atlantic Ocean is a highly protected area that relies on effective biosecurity including prevention, surveillance and eradication to limit the risk of biological invasions. Based on an opportunistic field discovery, we provide the first report of an introduced ladybird beetle on South Georgia. All specimens discovered belong to the Eurasian species Coccinella undecimpunctata Linnaeus (1758) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae). Tens of individuals of both sexes were discovered at a single location, indicating that the species may already be established on South Georgia. Transport connectivity with this site suggests that the species most likely arrived recently from the Falkland Islands as a stowaway on a ship. We discuss the implications of our discovery for the continued development of South Atlantic biosecurity.

Citation

Tichit, P., Roy, H. E., Convey, P., Brickle, P., Newton, R. J., & Dawson, W. (2023). First record of the introduced ladybird beetle, Coccinella undecimpunctata Linnaeus (1758), on South Georgia (sub‐Antarctic). Ecology and Evolution, 13(9), https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.10513

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Aug 25, 2023
• Online Publication Date: Sep 10, 2023
• Publication Date: 2023-09
• Deposit Date: Sep 19, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Sep 19, 2023
• Journal: Ecology and Evolution
• Electronic ISSN: 2045-7758
• Publisher: Wiley Open Access
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 13
• Issue: 9
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.10513
• Keywords: Nature and Landscape Conservation; Ecology; Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1742745