TAXONOMIC STUDIES OF FAMILY COCCINELLIDAE (COLEOPTERA) OF GILGIT-BALTISTAN, PAKISTAN

Abstract

The coccinellid ladybird beetles (Coccinellidae; Coleoptera) fauna of Gilgit- Baltistan was explored during present study. The taxonomic study of the collected beetles revealed twenty nine (29) species of coccinellid beetles in eighteen (18) genera and four (04) subfamilies from the province of Gilgit- Baltistan. Subfamily Chilocorinae represents four (04) species, subfamily Coccinellinae eighteen (18) species, subfamily Epilachninae three (03) species and subfamily Scymninae four (04) species. Among these, seventeen (17) species are new records for the study area including five (05) new records to Pakistan. The newly recorded species from Pakistan are; Exochomus nigromaculatus, Priscibrumus trijunctus, Coccinella iranica, C. redemita and Hippodamia apicalis. The remaining species include, Chilocorus infernalis, Platynaspidius saundersi, Adalia tetraspilota, Aiolocaria hexaspilota, Calvia punctata, Menochilus transversoguttata, sexmaculatus, Harmonia dimidiata, Coccinella Hippodamia septempunctata, variegata, C. Oenopia conglobata, O. oncina, O. sauzeti, Propylea dissecta, P. japonica, P. quaturodecimpunctata, Macroilleis hauseri, Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata, Afidentula bisquadripunctata, A. manderstjarnae, Scymnus nubilus, S. posticalis, Stethorus gilvifrons and S. pauperculus. Keys to subfamilies and genera are provided. Diagnostic characters of each species are given along with genitalia description. Coloured plates of adult specimens and genitalia structure are given in this research work. Remarks pertaining to taxonomic discussion, history, taxon status, host, habitat and regional record are given for each species. Distribution maps of the species occurring in the region are provided.