Survey of lady beetles (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) found on Texas high plains cotton, alfalfa and weeds.
By Carroll, S.C., M.N. Parajulee, and M.D. Arnold.
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A study was conducted during the February to November periods of 2004 and 2005 to determine the seasonal presence and reproduction of lady beetle species on cotton, alfalfa, plus over 20 prevalent Texas High Plains weed species. Over the 2-year study period, a total of 221,209 plant sweeps yielded 27,058 lady beetle adults and 3,936 larvae.
The adult specimens represented a total of six different species with
the convergent lady beetle, Hippodamia convergens Guerin-Meneville, easily representing over 80% of the overall population.
A total of 221,209 plant sweeps were taken during the February to November periods of 2004 and 2005. These sweeps yielded a total of 27,058 adult lady beetles and 3,936 larvae.
All lady beetles collected were identified as one of six common Texas High and Rolling Plains lady beetle species including:
1) the convergent lady beetle,
Hippodamia convergens Guerin-Meneville;
2) twice-stabbed lady beetle,
Chilocorus cacti (L.);
3) Scymnus lady beetle,
Scymnus loweii Mulsant;
4) Ash-grey lady beetle,
Olla v-nigrum (Mulsant);
5) seven-spotted lady beetle,
Coccinella septempunctata (L.); and
6) spotted lady beetle,
Coleomegilla maculata (DeGeer). [This last record is surprising as this sp. isn't known from this region.]
Carroll, S.C., M.N. Parajulee, and M.D. Arnold. 2007. Survey of lady beetles (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) found on Texas high plains cotton, alfalfa and weeds. Proceedings of the World Cotton Conference (September 10–14, 2007), Lubbock, TX.
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Note that the key cited for identifying the above species only listed those species (plus
Cycloneda munda (Say)) as possibilities...
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Frank, W.A., and J.E. Slosser. 1996. An illustrated guide to the predaceous insects of the northern Texas Rolling Plains. Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, MP-1718. 24 pp.