Taxonomic redescription of the species of Genus Coccinella (Coleoptera: coccinellidae) from Jammu and Kashmir, India

Abstract

Ladybird beetles belong to family Coccinellidae of the order Coleoptera and are important group of beetles, they are voracious predators and occupies important place in biological control. In this paper three species of the genus Coccinella belong to the subfamily Coccinellinae have been collected and rediscribed as no taxonomic work has been done on this group in Kashmir. This paper provides a detailed taxonomy of Coccinella septumpunctata, Coccinella undecimpunctata and Coccinella transversalis. Detailed description of adults and male genitalia are provided for both species along with color plates. In addition to this a dichotomous key of all species of Coccinella has been provided.