Diversity and Distribution of Ladybird beetles (Coccinellidae) in the Cropland of Faisalabad District

The present study was conducted in the Faisalabad district (30° 31.5 N and 73° 74 E), Pakistan to assess diversity and distribution of ladybird beetles (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) on five economically important crops (wheat, sugarcane, fodder, maize and vegetables) and their associated weeds. A total of 2204 specimens of coccinellids were collected belonging to four sub-families viz., Coccinellinae (n = 2076), Chilocorinae (n = 122), Epilachninae (n = 03) and Scymninae (n = 03) as well as twelve species. Fodder 57.19% (n = 1129) and wheat 37.34% (n = 737) were comprised more abundant coccinellids while sugarcane 3.04% (n = 60), vegetable 1.38% (n = 27) and maize 1.06% (n = n = 21) contribution was negligible. Fodder was also recorded more diverse (H′ = 1.541) and significantly different from all crops (p = 0.000). C. septempunctata 60.33% (n = 1191) and C. sexmaculata 19.50% (n = 385) were recorded more abundant species as well as widely distributed on all the crops. Among weeds C. dactylon 19.13% (n = 44) and F. indica 21.30% (n = 49) constituted more abundant and more diverse (H′ = 1.343, H′ = 1.115) coccinellids. It is concluded that agricultural crops and their associated weeds comprising of a variety coccinellids species, which are better control agents of insect pests.