Diversity pattern of adult ladybird (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) communities on pistachio trees in southern parts of Iran in different months.

摘要

The diversity of ladybird communities was monitored in planted and wild pistachio plantations during the growing season (April-October) of 2010 in the southern part of Iran. On planted pistachio trees, 20 ladybird species were identified, among which Hippodamia variegata (Goeze), Coccinella septempunctata Linnaeus and Scymnus (Pullus) scyriacus (Marseul) were found to be the most abundant. On wild pistachio trees, where 15 species were collected, the most abundant ladybird species was C. septempunctata, followed by S. scyriacus and Adalia bipunctata (Linnaeus). Monthly variations in species diversity, richness and evenness of these beetles were compared between planted and wild pistachio plantations. June and May showed the highest values of the Shannon-Wiener Index in planted and wild pistachio growing areas, respectively. Although there was some variation recorded in species composition, no significant difference was found between species diversity on planted and wild pistachio trees in different months. Adult ladybirds first appeared on pistachio trees in the middle of April, their abundance reaching the peak in June. However, later in summer, their abundance decreased increasing again in September and October. Monthly changes in the abundance of coccinellid species might be due to prey availability and responses to habitat types.