Bio diversity of coccinellid fauna associated with groundnut crop-ecosystem from Rayalaseema region of Andhra Pradesh

Abstract

Studies were conducted to know the bio diversity of predatory coccinellid fauna associated groundnut crop ecosystems from Rayalaseema Region of Andhra Pradesh. Coccinellid beetles were collected by handpicking and sweep netting techniques. Male and Female genitalia, colouration, characters of elytra, mandibles and antenna were studied for accurate identification of the species present. Nine species of coccinellids viz., Cheliomenes sexmaculata (Fabricius), Coccinella transversalis Fabricius, Aneglies cardoni (Weise), Illeis cincta (Fabricius), Harmonia octomaculata (Fabricius), Brumoides suturalis (Fabricius), Micraspis discolor (Fabricius), Scymnus nubulis Mulsant and Chilocorus nigritus (Fabricius) were reported from groundnut crop ecosystems in Rayalaseema region of Andhra Pradesh. The above species were identified, described and the species composition was worked out. Among the nine predatory coccinellid species recorded, C. sexmaculta (45.75% of the total Coccinellids) ranked the first in abundance followed by C. transversalis (27.42% of the total Coccinellids), whereas A. cardoni ranked least in abundance (0.30% of the total Coccinellids). An illustrated key along with diagnostic taxonomic characters were provided for easy identification of the coccinellids associated with groundnut crop eco-systems from Rayalaseema region of Andhra Pradesh.