Entomological News (2003) 114, p. 23 (Schaefer)

Paul W. Schaefer (2003)
Winter aggregation of Harmonia axyridis (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) in a concrete observation tower
Entomological News 114 (1), 23-23
Abstract: Aggregations of thousands of multicolored Asian lady beetles, Harmonia axyridis, have appeared each fall since 1993 in a 20.1 m high concrete observation tower at Mt. Gretna, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania. The tower is located in a clearing on a ridge in otherwise regenerated oak-maple-birch forests in Clarence Schock Memorial Park at Governor Dick (326 m elevation, 40° 14.78' N, 76° 27.35' W). Beetles aggregate in the ceiling/wall corners on four different levels in the tower's internal ladderways. Since the tower is open to the public for recreational purposes, one can visit the tower in late fall and witness these aggregations. During some winters, mortality appears very high, suggesting that the tower lacks adequate insulative properties for optimum survival.
Database assignments for author(s): Paul W. Schaefer

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
population dynamics/epizootiology

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
Harmonia axyridis (predator)			U.S.A. (NE)