SPECIES DIVERSITY AND DISTRIBUTION OF LADYBIRD BEETLES (COLEOPTERA: COCCINELLIDAE) IN SOUTH WAZIRISTAN, PAKISTAN

Abstract

ABSTRACT. This study presents the first detailed record of ladybird beetle diversity from South Waziristan, a region previously unexplored due to prolonged geopolitical instability. The present study was designed to identify species richness, distribution patterns across eight selected localities in South Waziristan, Pakistan. An extensive survey was conducted from January to December 2022 in these areas. A total of 530 ladybird beetle specimens were collected from all types of agro-ecosystems using sweep netting and hand-picking methods. Samples were then taken to the laboratory, assigned a unique identification label and the ladybird beetle species were identified using published literature and identification keys.  Among the collected specimens, fourteen species were identified, belonging to thirteen genera, three tribes and one subfamily. Ten of these species, viz., Coccinella septempunctata, Hippodamia variegata, Cheilomenes sexmaculatus, Micraspis allardi, Propylea dissecta, Adalia bipunctata, Psyllobora bisoctonotata, Oenopia conglobata and Llleis confusa belonged to the tribe Coccinellini, while three species were Parexochomus nigripennis, Parexochomus pubescens and Chilocorus nigrita classified under the tribe Chilocorini. One species, Chnootriba elaterii, represented the tribe Epilachnini within the subfamily Coccinellinae. Among all the species, Coccinella septempunctata was found to be widely distributed across all the studied localities, whereas llleis confusa was identified as a rare species, present in only a few locations. Sholam Kot exhibited the highest species richness (14), the highest Shannon-Wiener's Diversity Index (H = 2.38), and the highest Margalef's Index (2.88), indicating the greatest diversity among the sites. Kaniguram showed moderate diversity, while Sarwekai had the lowest diversity across multiple indices. Additionally, similarity indices between the localities revealed the highest similarity between Zarmilan and Sholam Kot (0.83) and the lowest similarity between Wana and Tiarza (0.33). This study revealed significantly different species diversity among all sites, with Sholam Kot exhibiting the highest species richness and diversity, characterized by orchard trees, wild vegetation, and agricultural crops. This finding provides baseline data for ladybird beetle diversity in understudied areas and is valuable for ecological conservation and agricultural sustainability planning worldwide.