Este artigo busca organizar uma síntese sobre os hábitos e estratégias alimentares apresentadas pelos Coccinellidae. A família é heterogênea no que diz respeito ao comportamento alimentar, podendo ser dividida em três grupos principais de acordo com sua especialização: predadores, fitófagos e micófagos. Os coccinelídeos predadores são subdivididos de acordo com o status taxonômico das suas presas preferenciais: acarófagos, afidófagos e coccidófagos. Já os fitófagos são subdivididos em: filógafos, os quais se alimentam exclusivamente de folhas, hastes ou outras partes das plantas e polenófagos. A frugivoria em coccinelídeos parece ser rara, mas já foi documentada para algumas espécies. Tanto as larvas como os adultos dos coccinelídeos predadores podem consumir uma enorme gama de alimentos e muitas espécies são consideradas polífagas. A polifagia é geralmente observada como uma estratégia de emergência quando o alimento preferencial encontra-se escasso. Os coccinelídeos apresentam uma vasta gama de tipos de alimentos preferenciais, os quais abrangem diferentes reinos e níveis tróficos. O conhecimento dos hábitos alimentares, mesmo das espécies mais comuns, ainda é restrito, tornando uma tarefa difícil discutir as especializações alimentares de cada tribo. Vista a enorme gama de espécies com grande potencial para atuar como agentes de controle biológico, especialmente de pragas de importância agrícola, faz-se necessário intensificar os estudos relacionados à biologia, ao comportamento e à filogenia. Palavras-chave: fitófago; hábitos alimentares; micófago; predador. ABSTRACT FOOD PREFERENCE AND FEEDING STRATEGIES IN COCCINELLIDAE (COLEOPTERA). This article aims to organize a synthesis about the feeding preference and feeding strategies presented by the Coccinellidae. The family is heterogeneous with regard to eating behavior and it can be divided into three main groups: predators, phytophagous and mycophagous. The predators coccinellids are subdivided according to the taxonomic status of their preferred prey: mite feeders, aphidophagous and coccidophagous. The phytophagous are subdivided into: phyllophagous, which feed exclusively on leaves, stems or other plant parts and polenophagous. The frugivory in coccinellids appears to be rare, but has been documented for some species. Both larvae and adults of predators coccinellids can consume an enormous range of food and many species are considered polyphagous. The polyphagy is usually observed as an emergency strategy when the preferred food is scarce. The coccinellids exhibit a wide range of preferred food types, which cover different kingdoms and trophic levels. The knowledge of feeding habits, even of the most common species, is still restrict, making a difficult task to discuss the food specialties of each tribe. Due to the huge range of species with great potential to act as biological control agents, especially of pests of agricultural importance, it is necessary to intensify the studies related to biology, behavior and phylogeny.

Harmonia axyridis was detected for the first time in Brazil in 2002. Since then, it has been recorded from the South to the Midwest of the country. Until now, almost all the registered cases were associated with the presence of aphids, its preferred source of food. Due to the occurrence of this species in areas of fruit growing in the South and Southeast of Brazil, the aim of this study was to analyze the preference and use of three different cultivars of fruit. The tests were set at 25ºC ± 1ºC, RH 70% ± 10%, and in a photophase of 12 h and with apples (Gala and Fuji), grapes (Niágara and Rubi), and pears (Williams and Asian). In the undamaged fruit experiment, the insects did not cause any noticeable damage. In the damaged and undamaged fruit experiment, a higher and statistically significant percentage of H. axyridis adults were found in the three damaged fruits. In the different cultivar experiment the Niágara grape, the Gala apple, and the Williams pear were significantly preferred by H. axyridis adults. These results may help in the management of this insect, preventing damage, which have been observed in other places where H. axyridis was introduced.