Amy Collop

Honours student

Project title: The population genetics of the harlequin ladybird, Harmonia axyridis, in South Africa

The goal of my project is to investigate the population genetics of Harmonia axyridis to understand the mechanisms responsible for their introduction to, and movement within, South Africa.

Project aim: To establish if Harmonia axyridis was introduced into South Africa due to a single or multiple events, and test the invasion pathway and connectivity of Harmonia axyridis groups in South Africa.