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Title: Lady Beetles (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae: Coccinellini) Associated with Alaskan Agricultural Crops

Author
item Hagerty, Aaron
item Pantoja, Alberto
item Emmert, Susan

Submitted to: Journal of British Columbia Entomological Society
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/16/2009
Publication Date: 12/20/2009
Citation: Hagerty, A.M., Pantoja, A., Emmert, S.Y. 2010. Lady Beetles (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae: Coccinellini) Associated with Alaskan Agricultural Crops. Journal of British Columbia Entomological Society. 106:39-46.

Interpretive Summary: Lady beetles (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) are important predators of many economically damaging agricultural pests. Their populations were monitored in agricultural areas of the Tanana and Matanuska-Susitna river valleys of Alaska from 2004 to 2005. Of the 13 species collected, Hippodamia tredecimpunctata tibialis (Say), Hippodamia quinquesignata quinquesignata (Kirby), and Coccinella transversoguttata richardsoni Brown show the most potential value as naturally occurring biocontrol agents due to their abundance, making up 11.5%, 51.4%, and 17.5% of the total number of individuals collected. The species Coccinella septempunctata L. and Hippodamia convergens Guerin were reported from the state for the first time. The presence of C. septempunctata is particularly significant because it has been reported to be invasive in some areas, displacing native species, and its populations should be monitored.

Technical Abstract: Coccinellid populations were monitored in agricultural areas of the Tanana and Matanuska-Susitna river valleys of Alaska from 2004 to 2005. Ten species were confirmed from the University of Alaska, Fairbanks, Museum of the North Insect Collection and 13 species were collected in association with Alaskan agricultural crops. Of the species collected, Hippodamia tredecimpunctata tibialis (Say), Hippodamia quinquesignata quinquesignata (Kirby), and Coccinella transversoguttata richardsoni Brown have the most potential as naturally occurring biocontrol agents, making up 11.5%, 51.4%, and 17.5% of the total number of individuals collected. Two new species records for the state are recorded: Coccinella septempunctata L. and Hippodamia convergens Guerin. C. septempunctata has been reported to be invasive in some areas, displacing native species, and its populations should be monitored.