Investigating global invasion routes of the harlequin ladybird (Harmonia axyridis) using mtDNA.

Although species invasions have important ecological and economical consequences, there is still much we do not understand about why only certain species become successful invaders, and what impacts they have on other species. Molecular techniques can be used to gain vital information on invasion dynamics, so as part of an ongoing study, we have used mitochondrial DNA sequence data to investigate the global invasion of Harmonia axyridis, and particularly the characteristics of the founding population(s). This will also complement data currently being gathered on microsatellite genotype and endosymbiont presence to provide a powerful dataset for understanding the invasion history of this species, and, more broadly, to attempt to determine what factors might make an invasive species successful.