Harlequin-the Predator?

The saga of the UK invasion by the Harlequin beetle (Harmonia axyridis) continues unabated (http://www.ladybird-survey.org/harlequin.aspx). There is no doubt that this alien species is spreading rapidly (it is bigger, more voracious and a faster breeder than UK ladybirds) a fact that is bad news for the local varieties. Having said that, it is surprising that the Harlequin has been dismissed by the BBC as being 'a predator'. Harlequins certainly eat other insects (including the odd ladybird) but with greenfly being their preferred nosh. In that sense our native ladybirds (who also snack resolutely on aphids) are predators. Being a predator (an animal eater rather than a plant eater) should not be used as a negative label in this sense (this is what is called 'negative apperception'). After all, most people favour animals that remove greenfly from their garden plants (in spite of the fact that the greenfly are completely vegetarian). I don't see much local support for the larvae of the Large white butterfly (Pieris brassicae) as it munches away at 'our' cabbage leaves.