Community Structure of Ladybird Beetles (Coccinellidae: Coleoptera) Alongside the Chenab River at Wazirabad, Gujranwala, Punjab, Pakistan

Mubashar Hussain*, Takhmina Nazir and Muhammad Faheem Malik

Department of Zoology, University of Gujrat, Gujrat, Punjab, Pakistan

ABSTRACT

Coccinellid beetles (ladybird beetles) are valuable biological pest control agents in all terrestrial landscapes including agroecosystems. Agricultural intensification contributes to the decline of these pest predators mainly due to pesticides, habitat reduction, and decreased food availability. Here, we explored the diversity of ladybird beetles in croplands alongside the river Chenab at Wazirabad. We collected coccinellid beetles from seven sampling sites (Behram, Wazirabad City, Khanki, Burj Cheema, Tahli da Kot, Rasool Nagar and Kot Har Auddin) by handpicking and sweeping aerial net fortnightly during 2016-2017. A total of 4589 individuals were recorded that belonged to 13 species representing six genera, three tribes and three subfamilies. The results showed that maximum number of species belong to genus Epilachna (five species) and Coccinella (four species) which make them most diverse genera. Coccinella septempunctata (16.40%) was the most dominant species followed by Coccinella undecimpunctata (12.83%) whereas Epilachna varivestis (1.61%) was the least abundant species. The results of diversity indices showed lowest Simpson index value (1-D= 0.89) in Rasool Nagar which is indication of high diversity. Maximum species richness was recorded at Behram (H’: 2.47) whereas greater evenness was recorded at Burj Cheema (e^H/S: 0.89). This quantitative assessment of coccinellids from riverside fauna indicated the conservatory impact of the habitat on lady bird beetles.

Article Information

Received 20 May 2018

Revised 15 July 2022

Accepted 31 August 2022

Available online 13 January 2023

(early access)

Published 25 March 2024

Authors’ Contribution

MH and TN conceived the idea, conducted research, analyzed data and developed manuscript. MFM critically reviewed the manuscript.

Key words

Coccinellids, Cocccinellinae, Coccinella, Predation, Chenab River

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.17582/journal.pjz/20180520120529

* Corresponding author: dr.mubashar@uog.edu.pk

0030-9923/2024/0003-1041 $ 9.00/0

Copyright 2024 by the authors. Licensee Zoological Society of Pakistan.

This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

INTRODUCTION

Ladybird beetles (Coccinellidae: Coleoptera) are natural predators of many insect pest species (Hodek and Honěk, 2009; Sarwar, 2016) including aphids (Leppanen et al., 2012; Lin and Pennings, 2018), mealybugs (Nong and Bennett, 1994), mites (Biddinger et al., 2009; Hodek and Honěk, 2009; Majerus et al., 2007; Obrycki et al., 2009; Sarwar, 2015), psyllids (Michaud, 2001), jassids (Fallahzadeh et al., 2013), scale insects (Liu et al., 1997), whiteflies (Hoelmer et al., 1993; Hoelmer and Pickett, 2003) and larvae of other insects (Fathipour and Maleknia, 2016; Giorgi et al., 2009; Sarwar, 2016).

Coccinellids show great diversity having above 6000 described species (Ślipiński et al., 2010; Vandenberg, 2002) with five predacious subfamilies (Chilocorinae, Coccidulinae, Coccinellinae, Ortaliinae, Scymninae, Sticholotidinae) and a phytophagous subfamily Epilachninae (Ahmed et al., 2017; Akhavan et al., 2013; Bouchard et al., 2011). They have immense importance in regulating pest populations in agricultural crops, fruits and vegetables, ornamentals and forest plantations (Biranvand et al., 2017; Kumar et al., 2017). Feeding on a variety of pest species under different cropping systems enhances their ecological plasticity (Fathipour and Maleknia, 2016). The use of pesticides for the management of insect pests have massive impact on ladybird beetles their abundance and diversity negatively (Ali and Rizvi, 2007; Faizul et al., 2011; Poor et al., 2013). Several studies on diversity, distribution and predatory efficacy of coccinellid beetles under different climatic conditions and ecosystems have recently been explored (Rain et al., 2016; Saleem et al., 2014; Seago et al., 2011; Snyder et al., 2006; Swaminathan et al., 2015).

Diversity and distribution of Ladybird beetles have been studied in different eco zones and farming systems have been explored from Layyah (Bodlah et al., 2021), Bannu (Rehman et al., 2018), Pothwar Plateau (Iqbal et al., 2018), Gujrat (Hussain et al., 2018), Sind (Ali et al., 2018), Sargodha (Ahmed et al., 2017), Northern Pakistan (Iqbal et al., 2017), Swabi (Urooj and Ali, 2016), Sind (Ali et al., 2015), Gilgit-Baltistan (Ashfaque et al., 2015), Mirpur (Hayat and Khan, 2013), Faisalabad (Abbas et al., 2013), Dir Lower (Faizul et al., 2011), and Chitral (Din, 2002).

Despite their importance as biological agents in agroecosystems, coccinellid beetles have not been explored extensively from different parts of Pakistan. The study was designed to explore the species diversity at riverside habitat adjacent to agricultural fields dominated with rice-wheat cropping system. This study highlighted the conservatory role of riverside habitats as non-cultivated area for coccinellid insect pest predators.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Study area

Wazirabad (32°44’59.99” N; 74°09’60.00” E; 232 m above sea level) have sub-humid climate lies in Gujranwala Division, Punjab, Pakistan (Kureshy et al., 1981; Rafique and Tahir, 1981). The study area has distinct dry and cold winter and hot and humid summer seasons (Noreen et al., 2018). The mean highest temperature in July (36.1 °C) and lowest in the January (15.2 °C). Similarly, the variations in precipitation with up to 20 mm difference in the driest month of October (2 mm) and the wettest in July (22 mm) (Noreen et al., 2018). The dominant families of flowering plants include Apiaceae, Poaceae, Fabaceae, Moraceae and Solanaceae (Altaf et al., 2019; Noreen et al., 2018); and Rice-wheat cropping system (Hussain et al., 2012).

Sampling sites

Behram, Wazirabad City, Khanki, Burj Cheema, Tahli da Kot, Rasool Nagar and Kot Har were seven sites selected along the riverside of the Chenab River in Tehsil Wazirabad (Fig. 1). We selected a total length of 78 km Chenab River in study area out of which sampling sites covered a distance of 11 km. The selected sites have river on one side whereas agricultural crops on the other side with rice wheat dominated cropping system.

Sampling

Sampling of coccinellids was conducted fortnightly by hand picking and sweeping netting the vegetation between 09:00 and 16:00 h. Sampling consisted of two hundred sweeps on each sampling date in each area during 2016-2017.

Identification, collection and preservation

Specimens were identified by using taxonomic literature and taxonomical identification keys (Bielawski, 1984; Bienkowski, 2018; Jouveau et al., 2018; Raimundo and van Harten, 2000). By using genital organs for identification, the specimen’s genitalia were dissected by boiling initially in 10% KOH for 15-20 minutes after that KOH were rinsed off by using distilled water (Barbosa et al., 2014). Canada balsam used for slide preparation and the prepared slides were observed using Olympus CZM-6 microscope and photographs were taken and edited by using digital camera and Photoshop software.

 

Statistical analysis

Shannon Wiener index (H) values ranges between 1.5 to 4.5, and the values of Simpson’s index (D) ranges from 0 to 1 (where zero represent infinite diversity and 1 means no diversity; we used 1-D which means that 0 value reflects no diversity and 1 means infinite diversity) explains richness (H) and evenness (e^H/S) of species (Hussain et al., 2021). We calculated indices for the estimation of diversity in the study sites. The estimated values of species diversity, dominance and richness were compared to describe the species diversity in the area (Ali et al., 2016; Hussain et al., 2021; Magurran, 2004).

RESULTS

Species richness and abundance

In this study, we collected 4589 specimens of ladybird beetles from the study area. Collected specimens were identified into 13 species which belonged to six genera, three tribes, and three subfamilies. Amongst predatory coccinellids, maximum abundance was shown by the genus Coccinella with four species i.e., C. septempunctata, C. undecimpunctata, C. transversalis and C. trifasciata. Five species belonging to the genus Epilachna were collected with variable abundance i.e., E. borealis, E. tredecimnotata, E. vigintioctopunctata, E. indica and E. varivestis. Four genera, Hippodamia, Propylea, Cheilomenes and Brumus each was represented by single species were documented from the study area (Table I). Relative abundance of species showed poor evenness with declining trend abundance levels of the community. Shannon-Wiener richness and evenness values (H’: 2.42) indicated moderately higher richness, and evenness were observed (E: 0.94).

Abundance of species at different sites

Behram

Data recorded from Behram (D: 0.09, H: 2.47, 1-D: 0.91, e^H/S: 0.85) exhibited the presence of 13 different species of ladybird beetles amongst which C. septempunctata (2.84) was found to be the most abundant species whereas E. varivestis (0.24) was least abundant species recorded from Behram (Table II).

Wazirabad city

The species diversity at Wazirabad city (D: 0.10, H: 2.43, 1-D: 0.90, e^H/S: 0.81) include presence of 13 species with variation in the abundance with C. septempunctata (2.85%) showing maximum abundance whereas the least abundant species was the E. varivestis (0.24%) at Wazirabad city (Table II).

Khanki

The data recorded from Khanki (D: 0.10, H: 2.37, 1-D: 0.90, e^H/S: 0.89) showed that C. septempunctata (2.59), C. undecimpunctata (2.24), H. convergens (2.09), and B. suturalis (1.81) were amongst dominant species (Table II).

Buraj Cheema

Coccinellid diversity recorded at Buraj Cheema (D: 0.10, H: 2.38, 1-D: 0.90, e^H/S: 0.90) showed C. septempunctata (2.35) was the most abundant species followed by C. transversalis (1.55) and H. convergens (1.39) whereas lowest abundance was recorded for E. indica (0.15) (Table II).

Tahli da kot

The data collected from different sites of Tahli da kot (D: 0.10, H: 2.39, 1-D: 0.90, e^H/S: 0.84) exhibited the presence of 13 species with C. septempunctata (1.9), C. undecimpunctata (1.55), C. trifasciata (1.42), and C. transversalis (1.37) dominant species (Table II).

Rasool Nagar

The data collected from different sites of Rasool Nagar (D: 0.1, H: 2.34, 1-D: 0.90, e^H/S: 0.86) exhibited that C. septempunctata (2.53), C. undecimpunctata (1.92), C. sexmaculata (1.70), C. transversalis (1.61), and C. trifasciata (1.44) (Table II).

Kot Har

The data collected from different sites of Kot Har (D: 0.10, H: 2.45, 1-D: 0.90, e^H/S: 0.83) showed that C. septempunctata (2.33), C. transversalis (1.98), C. undecimpunctata (1.81) and C. trifasciata (1.59) were found abundant species at Kot Har (Table II).

 

Table I. Relative abundance (%) of species reported from the riverside habitat of Wazirabad, Gujranwala, Punjab, Pakistan.

Family	Subfamily	Tribe	Genus	Species	Abundance (%)
Coccinellidae	Coccinellinae	Coccinellini	Coccinella	Coccinella septempunctata	16.40
				Coccinella undecimpunctata	12.83
				Coccinella transversalis	10.89
				Coccinella trifasciata	09.91
			Hippodamia	Hippodamia convergens	09.30
			Propylea	Propylea dissecta	08.49
			Cheilomenes	Cheilomenes sexmaculata	07.71
	Chilocorinae	Chilocorini	Brumus	Brumus suturalis	06.88
	Epilachninae	Epilachnini	Epilachna	Epilachna borealis	05.99
				Epilachna tredecimnotata	04.38
				Epilachna vigintioctopunctata	03.11
				Epilachna indica	02.44
				Epilachna varivestis	01.61

 

Table II. Shannon wiener diversity index of coccinellid species recorded from different sites.

Indices	Behram	Wazirabad city	Khanki	Burj Cheema	Tahli da Kot	Rasool Nagar	Kot Har
Dominance (D)	0.09	0.10	0.10	0.10	0.10	0.11	0.10
Simpson (1-D)	0.91	0.90	0.90	0.90	0.90	0.89	0.90
Shannon (H)	2.47	2.43	2.37	2.38	2.39	2.34	2.45
Evenness (e^H/S)	0.85	0.81	0.89	0.90	0.84	0.86	0.83

 

Discussion

Ladybird beetles demonstrate considerable diversity in different habitats and specificity. Different tribes within the subfamilies of Coccinellidae preferably inclined to feed on a specific category of food such as aphids, or coccids, or plant material (Hodek, 1993; Sloggett and Majerus, 2000). Overall 6000 species of coccinellid reported shows cosmopolitan distribution (Vandenberg, 2002). The occurrence of coccinellid species in the study area reported 13 species belonging to 6 genera demonstrated greater species richness. Similar trend of species richness was reported from Faisalabad recording four sub-families representing 91 species (Abbas et al., 2013). Another study conducted in Sargodha, documented nine species belonging to four subfamilies (Ahmed et al., 2017), two species from Pothwar Plateau (Iqbal et al., 2018) and six species were recorded from Sind (Ali et al., 2015).

Among predatory lady bird beetles, Coccinella was the most abundant genus with four species (Abbas et al., 2013). Greater abundance of phytophagous and predatory species was noted which may be due to presence of pesticide free natural vegetation adjacent to cropped area. However, this has almost equating predatory beetles in number and though relative abundance was significantly lower (Saeed et al., 2016).

In our study, we documented highest relative abundance C. septempunctata was the most abundant genus followed by C. undecimpunctata. Genus Coccinella has been reported from Azad Jammu and Kashmir like other parts of the country and have a wide range of host plants (Naz, 2012). Similar patterns of distribution and of diversity were recorded from Lower Dir, Malakand Division (Faizul et al., 2011; Rahat et al., 2012). Comparatively greater abundance was recorded for the subfamily Coccinellinae from Buner (Saeed et al., 2016). C. transversalis have been recorded from different parts of Pakistan with variable abundance (Hussain et al., 2018; Inayatullah and Hayat, 2005).

Similar results of taxonomic diversity of Coccinellids from Bagh, Sudhnuti and Poonch Districts of Azad Jammu Kashmir (Rafi et al., 2005). Similar trend of distribution of coccinellid species were recorded from Rawalakot, Hajera (Poonch) and other parts of AJ and K (Hayat et al., 2014; Khan et al., 2008). We also documented greater number of species (5 species) belonging to genus Epilachna. Similar, findings were reported from district Gujrat where five species of genus Epilachna (Hussain et al., 2018) were recorded.

Conclusion

The natural vegetation with adjacent agricultural fields could serve as conservatory for the coccinellid species due to absence of agricultural inputs. These coccinellid species could add in the biological control and in the integrated pest management programs against several pest species. Thus, this quantitative assessment of coccinellids from riverside fauna indicated conservatory impact of this habitat type on coccinellids.

Acknowledgment

Authors are grateful to MPhil scholars of Laboratory of Systematics and Pest Management, Department of Zoology, University of Gujrat, Gujrat for their help in collection and identification of specimens.

IRB approval

The study was approved by the Ethical Committee of the University of Gujrat, Gujrat.

Ethics statement

All efforts were taken to minimize pain and discomfort to the animal while conducting this research.

Funding

There was no funding available for this research.

Statement of conflict of interest

The authors have declared no conflict of interest.

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