First report of Coccinellid beetles (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) from Gharana Wetland Conservation Reserve and connected agricultural fields in Jammu

Abstract

The present study reveals that Predatory ladybird beetles are being utilized for the application of biological control in many agricultural and horticultural fields globally. A comprehensive survey was carried out for the collection of ladybird beetles by different methods like handpicking, sweeping net, and beat tray method in the month of May and June 2023 in Gharana wetland conservation reserve and connected agricultural fields along the international border in the outskirts of Jammu. A total number of 12 species were collected. The collected specimens were identified up to the species level as Coccinella septumpunctata (Linnaeus), Hippodamia variegata (Goeze), Propylea dissecta (Mulsant), Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata (Fabricius), Menochilus sexmaculatus (Fabricius), Brumoides suturalis (Fabricius), Oenopia sauzeti (Mulsant), Anegleis cardoni (Weise), Oenopia conglobata (Mulsant), Micraspis allardi (Mulsant), Platynaspidius saundersi (crotch), Harmonia eucharis (Mulsant). This study also shows the dominance of the two species i.e., Coccinella septumpunctata and Oenopia sauzeti occurring along the agricultural fields in the vicinity of this wetland.

Keywords

• Gharana wetland
• agricultural
• biological control
• Coccinellidae
• predatory beetles