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3. Harlequin Ladybird

Episode 3 of 5

Derek Mooney investigates with ladybird expert Dr Helen Roy, how a little beetle became the world’s fastest invader. From 2016.

In the years since the harlequin ladybird first hopped across the English Channel, its spread has been scrutinised by an army of scientists and amateur naturalists.

Its rapid colonisation has given it the unfortunate title of the world's fastest invader.

Derek Mooney talks to ladybird expert Dr Helen Roy to find out how this little beetle came to be a great invader.

Telling the stories of non-native invasive species and our complicated attitudes to them and with an uncertain political future, how do we police our ecological borders?

Producer: Ellie Sans

First broadcast on ±«Óãtv Radio 4 in August 2016.

Available now

15 minutes

Last on

Wed 17 Jul 2024 09:30

Broadcasts

  • Wed 31 Aug 2016 13:45
  • Tue 17 Apr 2018 09:30
  • Wed 11 Mar 2020 14:15
  • Thu 12 Mar 2020 02:15
  • Wed 17 Jul 2024 09:30