Seasonal fluctuation in the population of Harmonia axyridis (Pallas, 1773) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) and co-occurrence with other Coccinellids in the Federal District of Brazil

Abstract

The multicolored Asian lady beetle, Harmonia axyridis (Pallas, 1773), was first recorded in Brazil in 2002 in Paraná state and subsequently observed in Santa Catarina, Rio Grande do Sul and Minas Gerais. This species can spread to new areas and become dominant in the local community, reducing the density and diversity of native species, mainly Coccinellidae. The objective of this work was to record for the first time the occurrence of H. axyridis in the Federal District and its co-occurrence with other Coccinellidae species. The individuals were collected directly from plants at an organic farm in Taguatinga and in experimental fields of Embrapa Hortaliças, located in the Federal District, from August 2008 to January 2010. We collected 881 Coccinelids, and of these, 110 belong to the species H. axyridis. These were found exclusively on the following plants of the succinea group: maize, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, kale, cucumber, cotton, tomato and coriander. We also observed its co-occurrence with the following lady beetle species: Cycloneda sanguine (Linnaeus, 1763), Hippodamia convergens (Guerin-Meneville 1842), Eriopis connexa (German, 1824), Scymnus sp., Nephaspis sp., Azya luteipes (Mulsant, 1850), Hyperaspis festiva (Mulsant, 1850), Olla v-nigrum (Mulsant, 1866), Psyllobora sp. and Coleomegilla maculata (De Geer, 1775). So far, we have not found any negative interactions between H. axyridis and these species. This is the northernmost H. axyridis record in Brazil. Moreover, the region was previously considered to have a low probability of occurrence for this species. Therefore, this record confirms that H. axyridis presents great adaptive plasticity to new habitats.

Faunistic analysis and seasonal fluctuation of ladybeetles in an agro-ecological system installed for organic vegetable production

“…Togni et al (2010) observed that monoculture of tomato (variety Pollyana) presented lower abundance and richness of natural enemy species (among them H. convergens and E. connexa) than the intercropping of tomato with coriander (variety Verdão) in an experiment conducted in an organic production site in Brasília, DF. Harterreiten- Souza et al (2012) observed greater richness of ladybeetle species (S = 9) in tomato crops than that observed in the current research; however, they collected specimens in tomato intercropped with coriander and other cultures. These authors also observed that ladybeetle species prevailed in this system (H. convergens).…”

Natural Enemies Associated withMaconellicoccus hirsutus(Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) in the State of São Paulo, Brazil

“…In the same municipalities, Martins et al (2009) collected H. axyridis associated with potential prey species of aphids, scales, and psyllids that may be alternate prey sources, although most of the prey species were aphids. Harmonia axyridis was recorded in the states of São Paulo, Minas Gerais, and Goiás (Harterreiten-Souza et al 2012).…”

Invasion of the coccinellid community associated with a tropical annual agroecosystem

“…Multiple researchers have warned that Ha. axyridis could destabilise local coccinellid communities in Brazil (Arruda Filho et al, 2009; Harterreiten‐Souza et al, 2012; Koch et al, 2006; Martins et al, 2009; Milléo et al, 2008; Rezende et al, 2010), but such an evaluation has yet to be done.…”