Dr Remy Ware

Eyed ladybird

Remy's favourite ladybird is the
eyed ladybird

Position

Research Fellow

Organisation

Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge

Ladybird research keywords

Harmonia axyridis, intraguild predation, cannibalism, biological control, invasive species, natural enemies, enemy release hypothesis, parasitoids, Dinocampus coccinellae, Phalacrotophora, male-killing bacteria

Description of work

My work focuses on the evolutionary ecology of ladybirds. Current research interests include:

  1. The ecological impacts of the invasive 'harlequin ladybird', Harmonia axyridis, on British aphidophagous insects, particularly native coccinellids, through the processes of resource competition and intraguild predation.
  2. The selection for chemical, physical and behavioural defensive strategies against intraguild predation amongst coccinellids evolving in sympatry versus allopatry.
  3. Using H. axyridis as a model system to investigate the evolutionary genetics of an invasive insect species, by looking at processes such as founder effects and the natural enemy escape hypothesis.
  4. The interactions between British coccinellids and their natural enemies (including parasitoid wasps and flies, fungal pathogens, sexually transmitted mites and male-killing bacteria), and the potential for these enemies to regulate H. axyridis numbers in Britain.

Key publications

Ware, R.L. & Majerus, M.E.N. (2008) Intraguild predation of immature stages of British and Japanese coccinellids by the invasive ladybird Harmonia axyridis. BioControl, 53: 169-188.

Ware, R.L., Ramon-Portugal, F., Magro, A., Ducamp, C., Hemptinne, J-L. & Majerus, M.E.N. (2008) Chemical protection of Calvia quatuordecimguttata eggs against intraguild predation by the invasive ladybird Harmonia axyridis. BioControl, 53: 189-200.

Ware, R.L., Evans, N., O'Farrell, K., Malpas, L., Michie, L.J. & Majerus, M.E.N. (2008) Intraguild predation of British and Japanese coccinellid eggs by the invasive ladybird Harmonia axyridis. Neobiota, 7: 263-275.

Ware, R.L., Yguel, B. & Majerus, M.E.N. (2008) Effects of larval diet on female reproductive output of the European coccinellid Adalia bipunctata and the invasive species Harmonia axyridis. European Journal of Entomology, 105: 437-443.

Ware, R.L., Yguel, B. & Majerus, M.E.N. (2009) Effects of intraguild predation and competition on larval development of the European coccinellid Adalia 2-punctata.