According to nature experts, children will not be the only creatures getting a fright this Halloween, as the humble ladybird is facing the danger of being wiped out by an invading species.

The ladybird's cousin, Harmonia axyridis, also known as the Halloween beetle, was first introduced to North America from Asia in 1988 in an attempt to control pests, but it soon became apparent that the beetles were preying on the continent's indigenous ladybird population.

The Halloween beetle is currently the most prominent ladybird species in the US and the beetle has now established a firm foothold in Birmingham, according to experts.

It is believed that the beetles entered the UK from north-west Europe.

Environmentalists are concerned about the welfare of other insects due to the Halloween beetle's voracious appetite – it is known to strip plantlife bare of greenfly and other pests.

Solihull Local Nature reserve officer Gary Farmer told the Birmingham Post: "Halloween beetles are attractive little beasts, which people are quite drawn to. This makes it difficult to impress upon the public the threat which they pose to local wildlife.

"The ecological impact of the beetle will be best assessed in the coming years, when more data has been accumulated by national surveys of the creature."

For a guide to the UK's most popular plants, visit Plant Finder.