A survey of the ladybird beetles (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) from Chaman Abad District Karak Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Abstract

Chaman Abad is one of the most important conservation areas of Karak, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. The invertebrate fauna, including Coleoptera remains largely unknown. The current survey was conducted to find out Ladybird beetle fauna from various sampling sites of Chaman Abad i.e. Ayaz Khel, Khyal Khel and Khattak Khel during the period January, 2014 to December, 2014. This study has revealed a total of 8 species of ladybird beetles in 7 genera of 1 family, inhabiting the area surveyed. These 8 species were Coccinella septempunctata, C. transversalis, Hippodamia varigata, Menochilus sexmaculata, Oenopia sauzeti, Harmonia dimidata, Halyzia tschitscherini and Brumoides saturalis respectively. Maximum collection of Ladybird beetles was carried out from Khel site of the study area (8) followed by Khattak Khel (6) and Khyal Khel (4) respectively. From the current study it can be concluded that the study area environment is suitable for ladybird beetle fauna. This research will provide a baseline for the future Entomologist in the field of taxonomy.