Ladybird Beetles (Coccinellidae: Coleoptera) in Southern Telangana: Diversity and Habitat Distribution

This research paper investigates the diversity and distribution patterns of ladybird beetles (Coccinellidae) in agricultural ecosystems of Southern Telangana, with a specific focus on the okra crop.A total of 735 specimens representing 12 species were collected and examined, revealing a diverse assemblage of coccinellids.Among the recorded species, eight belonged to the subfamily Coccinellinae, while the remaining species were distributed across other subfamilies.Notably, the most abundant species in the okra ecosystem was Illies cincta, Cheilomenes sexmaculata Propylea dissecta constituting 35.25 % of the total specimens, followed by (15.10 %) and (12.23 %).The study further elucidates the species richness and abundance of coccinellids across various crops, with ragi and okra hosting the highest number of species.Additionally, diversity indices such as Shannon index (H'), Simpson's index of diversity (1-D), Simpson dominance index (D) and Pielou's evenness index (E) were calculated to assess the diversity of ladybird beetles in the okra ecosystem.The results revealed a high diversity index, indicating a stable ecosystem with complex food webs.These findings underscore the importance of studying coccinellid diversity and distribution in agricultural ecosystems, as they play a crucial role in natural pest control and ecosystem stability.Understanding the dominance patterns of species, species richness and diversity indices can inform effective pest management strategies, ultimately promoting sustainable agriculture.