Species composition of Coccinellidae (Coleoptera) predators feeding on Myzus persicae Sulzer (Hemiptera; Aphididae) in oriental tobacco agrocenosis

Zheko Radev

Abstract: The aim of the present study was to determine the species composition of Coccinellidae (Coleoptera) predators in oriental tobacco agrocenosis, their population dynamics according to Myzus persicae Sulzer (Hemiptera; Aphididae). Five species ladybird beetles were identified in varying densities during both years of study - Coccinella septempunctata L., Harmonia axyridis Pallas, Adalia bipunctata L., Adonia variegata Goeze and Propylaea quatuordecimpunctata L. The ladybird beetles with the highest density were C. septempunctata, H. axyridis and A. bipunctata, respectively 39.7%, 26.2% and 17.5% of total number of Coccinellidae representatives in oriental tobacco agrocenosis. The highest density of ladybird beetles in 2021 was found in the first and second decade of July, during 2022 in the second and third decade of June when the multiplication of M. persicae was highest.

Keywords: aphids; Coccinellidae; ladybirds; Myzus persicae; tobacco

Date published: 2022-10-04