THE FAUNISTIC SURVEY OF LADY BEETLES (COLEOPTERA, COCCINELLIDAE) IN THE MEHRIZ REGION(YAZD PROVINCE), IRAN

Abstract

ABSTRACT In this study the faunistic of lady beetles (Coleoptera, Coccinellidae) was studied in Mehriz region (Yazd province) during 2009-2010. The total number of specimens of coccinellid beetles were collected from 6 different localities having altitudes from 1420-2420 m. Altogether 11 species from 8 genera, 3 tribes and 3 subfamilies were collected and identified. External characters plus characteristics male and female genitalia were used in order to diagnose species. Seven species were recorded for the first time from Yazd province (marked*). Many species were predacious, preying on various species of aphids, mites and coccids. Some species were also sent to Dr. Helmut Fursch in Germany for identification or confirmation. The collected species are:1- Coccinella septempunctata (Linnaeus) *2- Coccinella undecimpunctata (Linnaeus)3- Hippodamia variegata (Goeze) *4- Coccinula elegantula (Weise) *5- Adalia bipunctata (Linnaeus)6- Oenopia oncina (Olivier) *7- Oenopia conglobata ( Linnaeus) 8- Chilocorus bipustulatus (Linnaeus)9- Exochomus quadripustulatus (Linnaeus) * 10- Exochomus nigripennis (Erichson) * 11- Scymnus syriacus Marseul *