Asian lady beetle with prey

Description:

The Asian or Harlequin lady-bird beetle is native to Nepal, China, Taiwan and Japan, but introduced to Europe and the USA as biological pest control; however, this invasive species is highly competitive with native Coccinelidae.Harmonia axyridis PALLAS, 1771 (Harlequin or Asian Lady-beetle, Asiatischer Marienkfer)Genus: Harmonia MULSANT, 1846Tribus: Coccinellini LATREILLE, 1807Subfamily: Coccinellinae LATREILLE, 1807Family: Coccinellidae LATREILLE, 1807 (lady beetles, Marienkfer)Superfamily: Cucujoidea LATREILLE, 1802Infraorder: Cucujiformia LAMEERE, 1938Suborder: PolyphagaOrder: Coleoptera (beetles, Kfer)to ID Europaean Lady Beetles: www.stippen.nl/lieveheersbeestje.phpGermany, Hessen, vic. Kassel, ca. 180m asl., 10.07.2011IMG_3286