Riddick, E.W. & Soares, A.O. (2018) Editorial: ecology and behavior of native, naturalized, and invasive ladybird beetles.
Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, 6, 116. DOI:10.3389/fevo.2018.0011 (IF2018 2,686; Q2 Ecology)Most ladybirds (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) are predators of insects and mites (Giorgi et al., 2009; Weber and Lundgren, 2009). Their importance as biological control agents has been recognized for many years. With the advent of increased international travel and biological control operations aimed at controlling invasive herbivores, several species have been introduced (intentionally or unintentionally) into foreign countries. These introductions have had positive, neutral, or negative consequences. The aim of this research topic is to highlight studies on how invasive, native, and naturalized ladybirds expand their geographic range and also increase their fitness. The impetus for this research topic of Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution sprang forth after a symposium of the same title was held at the XXV International Congress of Entomology, in Orlando, Florida, USA, in September 2016. The symposium was organized by Eric W. Riddick, Oldrich Nedved, Louis S. Hesler, Helen E. Roy, John J. Sloggett, and António O. Soares.
