by David Miller
Summary:
The harlequin ladybird (ladybug) has been spotted in Shetland, which the furthest north the species has been spotted. It is an invasive species from Asia that was brought to mainland Europe to eat aphids. The ladybirds then spread to southern England and kept moving north. The harlequin ladybirds are competing with native ladybird species, even eating the competition's eggs and larva. While the weather is too cold in Shetland for the ladybirds to start populating, it shows how far the species can spread. Scientists are asking the public to record online where they spot harlequin ladybirds, with over 40,000 people reporting a sighting since 2005.
Opinion:
I find it interesting how a small insect can get from mainland Europe all the way to a northern part of the UK. That would involve going over large bodies of water and traveling many miles. It is also strange how the harlequin ladybird actually eats the young of its competitors, which could lead to it wiping out an entire population and taking over. This shows how harmful and difficult to stop an invasive species can get. The use of the internet to keep track of invasive species seems like it would be useful, seeing how social media is taking over society.
Questions:
- Do you believe species should be introduced to the environment to combat pests or other introduced species?
- What do you think is the most effective way to stop or track an invasive species?
- Do you think that invasive species can eventually become native species, meaning we should not stop their spread?
- Should we, Americans, be concerned of invasive species in other continents?
What is the answer to the ultimate question of life, the universe, and everything?
Opinion/Reflection
ReplyDeleteI also find it interesting how widespread this invasive species is. Normally the ones we talk about only occupy a few states, counties, or even towns, not an entire continent. I was not overly surprised by the fact that the ladybirds were able to travel to from northwestern mainland Europe to southern England. Though they do not have the wings or the energy capacity to fly over, they could easily latch on to birds, even by accident, and then they could easily fly over
Answers to questions
1. ONLY if the species has a VERY specific niche targeting another VERY specific invasive species and evolves slowly enough for us to remove them if they begin to overpopulate
5. 42. Read Douglas Adams' books. Also you don't word it as a question.
Opinion
DeleteI find it interesting that an invasive species can go out of it's normal habitat over the sea and still be able to take over the other habitat. I also find it amazing that two species so alike can compete the way they do. Also the fact that these ladybugs eat the other ladybug's larvae is very weird for me. I can't think that any species is basically cannibal.
Answer to a question:
2. I believe that we can't track these invasive species. Nature has it's way of sending these species around. One way is by the wind. Bugs and seeds can be carried by the wind. Also other animals can take these other bugs across the sea.
Opinion:
ReplyDeleteI think this is a perfect example of how widespread the invasive species problem really is. These species are brought in for some reason or another and they thrive and destroy the existing ecosystem. I find it particularly interesting that this species has been able to stretch across seas, but yet again they eat their competition.
Answer to a question:
2. I don't think we can ever effectively stop or track an invasive species, but we certainly can try. Like the story said, scientists can reach out to the citizens in these countries to try to track them. As for getting rid of them, science will have to come up with something great because these species are build for survival by evolution.
It is becoming clear the invasive species are affecting places all over the globe whether it be a small pond, or a whole continent. I think keeping track of the Harlequin Ladybirds online is great, with such an technologically-fused society, and it is also a great way of making people more aware of invasive species. I find it interesting though, that the Harlequin would eat competition of almost the same bug, it seems that when to related species clash, they compete with each other rather than other populations. I guess nature is just one big fight for power.
ReplyDeleteResponse to Question:
4. I think it is very important for Americans to be concerned about invasive species outside the U.S. The U.S. is one of the most diverse countries population-wise. People from all over the world travel here looking for new opportunities, and if they are coming from one of these invasive species ridden continents, then they'll be bringing them right to us, and vice versa.