The hornbeam (Carpinus betulus) got lucky – the Asian lady beetle (Harmonia axyridis) doesn’t munch on its leaves or sip its sap. Instead, it feeds on aphids.
Originally from East Asia, Harmonia axyridis was introduced to many other regions as a natural pest control agent. It managed to settle in quite a few places, thanks to its toughness and adaptability (see distribution map).
But as so often happens, good intentions don’t always lead to good results. In many areas, the Asian lady beetle liked it a bit “too” much – spreading rapidly and turning into a pest itself.
Carpinus betulus – also known as the common or European hornbeam – grows as a shrub or a tree and is related to the hazel. By the way, it’s not always so lucky: it’s often trimmed into hedges or shaped in all sorts of ways that really don’t do it justice.
