Morpho-taxonomic study of genus Coccinella (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) in agricultural ecosystems of Doon Valley, Uttarakhand

Present study was carried out to know the Morpho-Taxonomic Status of Genus Coccinella (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) in Agricultural Ecosystem of Doon Valley, Uttarakhand. Sampling of coccinellids were done at monthly intervals over a period of two years (January 2021 to December 2022). Specimens of Coccinellids were collected using visual hand-picking method and sweep net techniques. A total of 1898 specimens of genus Coccinella were collected and identified as 3 species with one variety of seven spotted lady beetle viz. Coccinella septempunctata (Linnaeus), Coccinella septempunctata var divaricata (Olivier), Coccinella transversalis (Fabricius) and Coccinella undecimpunctata (Linnaeus) from all study sites of agricultural ecosystems of Doon Valley, Uttarakhand. This study will help in identification of suitable predators and promoting sustainable agriculture in Uttarakhand.