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

• Published in: Ecology and Evolution
• Main Authors: Pierre Tichit, Helen E. Roy, Peter Convey, Paul Brickle, Rosemary J. Newton, Wayne Dawson
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Wiley 2023
• Subjects: biological invasion; biosecurity; Coccinellidae; Coleoptera; invasive alien species; non‐native species; Ecology; QH540-549.5; Antarc*; Antarctic; South Atlantic Ocean
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.10513; https://doaj.org/article/08f5387222ce41ef8615f26a2946faf7

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.