Study of Predatory Lady Beetles Fauna (Coleoptera, Coccinellidae) Associated with Pomegranate Orchards on Aphis punicae Passerini in the Najafabad Region (Isfahan Province), Iran

Lady beetles (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) as a biological control agent are a group of beetles with a considerable diversity and adaptation in different habitats. Among aphids, Aphis punicae Passerini (Hemiptera: Aphididae) is one of the most important pests of pomegranate orchards in Iran. This pest reduces plant vigor, facilitate the growth of mold on leaves, and consequently influences crop quality and yield. Study on the fauna of predatory ladybugs associated with pomegranate orchards was conducted that were feeding on Aphis punicae in the Najafabad region (Isfahan province, Iran). Twelve species of 8 genera were collected Sampled specimens were identified according to their morphological, male and female genitalia characters using identification keys. The identified species were as follow: Adalia bipunctata (Linnaeus, 1758), Coccinella septempunctata Linnaeus, 1758, Coccinella undecimpunctata Linnaeus, 1758, Exochomus undulates Weise, 1878, Hippodamia variegate (Goeze, 1777), Hippodamia tredecimpunctata (Linnaeus, 1758), Oenopia conglobata (Linnaeus, 1758), Oenopia oncina (Olivier, 1808), Propylea quatuordecimpuctata (Linnaeus, 1758), Psyllobora vigintiduopunctata (Linnaeus, 1758), Scymnus syriacus (Marseul, 1868), Scymnus mongolicus (Weise, 1890).