Biodiversity and Distribution of Predaceous ladybird(Coleoptera: Coccinelliae)

ABSTRACT: The present study was conducted in the Hamedan district (49°27ʹ E and 34°35ʹN), Iran to assess biodiversity and distribution of ladybird beetles (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) on seven regionsduring May-Oct., 2011.Specimens of coccinellid beetles were collected by netting and hand picking from Salehabad, Jorghan. Heidare, Moin, Solan, Meriange and Sangestan. Identification of these beetles showed that twelve different species belonging to three sub-families : Coccinellinae , Chilocorinae and Scymninae.Hippodamia variegata63.68% (n = 998) and Coccinellaseptempunctata 31.07% (n = 487) were recorded more abundant species as well as widely distributed on all the regions. When distribution of all the areas were compared, it was concluded that the coccinellidae was most distribution in the Merianj area than other areas.The maximum and minimum diversity species were obtained in Solan (Simpson’s diversity index = 0.58) and Salehabad (Simpson’s diversity index = 0.36) regions respectively. Among periodsSeptember (Simpson’s diversity index = 0.55)constituted more abundant and more diverse coccinellids. Maximum of similarity indices (0.80) were observed between Sangstan and Solan regions