[Coccinellidae biodiversity and host plants study for Belgium] | Etude de la diversite et des plantes hotes des Coccinellidae de Belgique
2001
Francis, F. (Faculte universitaire des Sciences agronomiques, Gembloux (Belgium). Unite de Zoologie generale et appliquee)
Whether the two-spot and seven-spot ladybirds are the commonest Coccinellidae species in Belgium, several others taxa from this entomological family was also largely present. To assess the diversity of the beetles, individuals from the main and applied Zoology Department of the Gembloux Agricultural University collection were examined and identified. Insects were mainly collected in 2000. Moreover, a work on the Coccinellids ecology was more particularly realised, focused on the identification of the host plant where the ladybirds were found on. Twenty one species were observed on the 32 taxa which were reported in Belgium. Whether some of them are known to be very abundant, less common species were also observed. In relation to the host plant, large differences of ladybird diversity and abundance were observed depending on the considered botanical level (herbaceous, shrubs or trees). Whether stinging nettle, Urtica dioica, and Poaceae species hosted the higher number of Coccinellidae taxa, many ladybirds were also collected on Apiaceae plants. Near of 10 percent of the beetles were collected on Crataegus monogyna whereas Carpinus betulus corresponded to the highest coccinellid diversity on non herbaceous plants. The ladybird occurrence were discussed in relation to the biological agent role of aphidophagous beetles and the hedge crop field management to increase the aphid control by natural enemies.
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