BIONOMICS OF LADYBIRD BEETLES IN DISTRICT BANNU OF KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA, PAKISTAN
Abstract
Family Coccinellidae of order Coleoptera is of great economic importance because of its predatory and phytophagous nature.The present study was conducted to describe the Coccinellid fauna and their distribution in district Bannu. A total of 530 Coccinellid beetles were collected. All these belong to 6 predatory and one phytophagous species. Their subfamilies include Coccinellinae, Chilocorinae, Coccidulinae and Epilachninae. Coccinella septempunctata was found the dominant species of all the predatory coccinellids with 210 specimens collected from different crops and plants. This species was found throughout the survey period. The 2nd most common species was Coccinella undecimpunctata with 130 species specimens collected on available crops and vegetables. This species also was found throughout the study area.The members of Hippodamia variegata were collected from Cucumber, weeds, alfalfa and grasses.Psyllobora bisctonotataspecimens were found quite rare in district Bannu. Only 5 specimens were found only in the month of June and from Mulberry plant only. Brumoides suturalis was active in grasses, alfalfa and okra fields. It was found throughout the district Bannu with 33 specimens being collected.Rodolia fumida with 46 specimens was mostly collected from Mulberry plant and some specimens were also collected in grasses and wheat from very few localities. Henosepilachna elaterii was mostly found in the warm weather, 8 specimens were collected, mostly from wheat, Brinjal and Cucumber. All the observed species have been described for the first time from Bannu district. The presence of Psylloborabisoctonotata was good sign for agriculture because it is fungivorous.
