DISTRIBUTION OF COCCINELLID SPECIES IN UDHAM SINGH NAGAR (UTTARAKHAND), INDIA

Coccinellids play a crucial role in agriculture and ecosystems, primarily as predators of various pest species, including mites, mealybugs, scale insects, and aphids. Their effectiveness as biocontrol agents makes them valuable components of Integrated Pest Management; however, many of their ecological services remain insufficiently explored. To investigate their species distribution in Udham Singh Nagar (USN), Uttarakhand, India, a two-year extensive survey was conducted from March 2021 to February 2023. USN is located in the Tarai region of the Kumaun Division, lies between latitudes 28°53′ N and 29°23′ N and longitudes 78°45′ E and 80°08′ E. Fourteen coccinellid species belonging to three subfamilies and twelve genera were recorded from various locations of district USN. The subfamily Coccinellinae (Tribe Coccinellini) comprised of Anegleis cardoni, Cheilomenes sexmaculata, Coccinella septempunctata, Coccinella transversalis, Harmonia dimidiata, Hippodamia variegata, Illeis cincta, Micraspis allardi, Micraspis univittata Oenopia kirbyi, and Propylea dissecta. Brumoides suturalis and Chilocorus nigritus, belonged to the subfamily Chilocorinae (Tribe Chilocorini). These species are voracious predators of insect pests infesting economically important crops and -other cultivated plants. Additionally, phytophagous individuals of Epilachna indica (Subfamily Epilachninae) were also collected.