A CONTRIBUTION TO THE GENUS RODOLIA MULSANT, 1850 (COLEOPTERA: COCCINELLIDAE) FROM POTHWAR PLATEAU OF PAKISTAN
1Z. Iqbal, 1M. F. Nasir, 1*I. Bodlah and 2R. Qureshi
1Department of Entomology, Faculty of Crop and Food Sciences, Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi, 46000, Pakistan
2Department of Botany, Faculty of Sciences, Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi, 46000, Pakistan
Corresponding Author Email: imranbodlah@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
Genus Rodolia Mulsant, 1850 (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) mostly associated with the species of scale insects and mealybugs. A total of two species i.e. Rodolia fumida and R. octoguttata were studied from Pothwar Plateau, Pakistan during 2015-2017. R. octoguttata is recorded for the first time from Pakistan. Both of the species have been found as predator of Drosicha mangiferae (Mango mealybug) and collected from six host plants viz. Lagerstroemia indica, Mangiferae indica, Eriobotrya japonica, Alstonia scholaris, Prunus persica and Dalbergia sissoo. Information about host plants, prey, distribution, diagnostic characters and their illustrations have been provided. This information will helpful in identification of these species and their possible utilization in IPM of Mango mealybug and future research.
|