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ARS Home » Plains Area » Brookings, South Dakota » Integrated Cropping Systems Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #210144
Title: Status of Exotic and Previously Common Native Coccinellids (Coleoptera) in South Dakota Landscapes

Author
item Hesler, Louis
item KIEKCHEFER, ROBERT - ARS RETIRED

Submitted to: Journal of Kansas Entomological Society
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/9/2007
Publication Date: 4/3/2008
Citation: Hesler, L.S., Kiekchefer, R.W. 2008. Status of Exotic and Previously Common Native Coccinellids (Coleoptera) in South Dakota Landscapes. Journal of Kansas Entomological Society. 81(1), pp. 29-49.

Interpretive Summary: In the last two decades, three previously common lady beetles (two-spotted, nine-spotted, and transverse lady beetles) have declined in abundance in South Dakota, while two invasive species (seven-spotted and multicolored Asian lady beetles) have become established there. The objectives of this study were to survey for lady beetles (LBs) in various habitats in South Dakota in order to better characterize the fauna, determine the extent of exploitation by invasive species, and possibly identify refuge habitats of previously common lady beetles. Overall, 2,827 lady beetles comprising 23 species were collected on yellow sticky traps in field and woody habitats and during timed visual searches in field crops. The two-spotted LB was found during additional sampling in Butte County in western South Dakota. However, it was not present in samples from eastern and central parts of the state, which is consistent with previous findings that this species is absent from those areas. The transverse and none-spotted LBs were absent at all sites sampled. A species known as Scymnus kansanus was collected for the first time in South Dakota among arboreal habitats. Multicolored Asian LB expanded its geographic range into central South Dakota by 2002 and western South Dakota by 2004. Invasiveness of Multicolored Asian LB and seven-spotted LB was evident by their presence in a wide variety of habitats surveyed, dominance of larval coccinellid assemblages, and predation upon non-target species of aphids. Multicolored Asian LB was the most abundant larval coccinellid in maize and seven-spotted LB was the most abundant larval coccinellid in intercropped wheat-alfalfa. Both Multicolored Asian LB and seven-spotted LB preyed upon non-target aphids in the field.

Technical Abstract: In the last two decades, three previously common coccinellids (Adalia bipunctata (L.), Coccinella transversoguttata richardsoni Brown, and Coccinella novemnotata Herbst) have declined in abundance in South Dakota, while two invasive species (Coccinella septempunctata (L.) and Harmonia axyridis (Pallas)) have become established there. The objectives of this study were to survey for coccinellids in various habitats in South Dakota in order to better characterize the coccinellid fauna, determine the extent of exploitation by invasive coccinellids, and possibly identify refuge habitats of previously common coccinellid species. Overall, 2,827 coccinellids comprising 23 species were collected on yellow sticky traps in field and woody habitats and during timed visual searches in field crops. Adalia bipunctata (L.) was found during additional sampling in Butte County in western South Dakota. However, it was not present in samples from eastern and central parts of the state, which is consistent with previous findings that this species is absent from those areas. Coccinella transversoguttata richardsoni Brown and C. novemnotata Herbst were absent at all sites sampled. Scymnus kansanus Casey was collected for the first time in South Dakota among arboreal habitats. Harmonia axyridis (Pallas) expanded its geographic range into central South Dakota by 2002 and western South Dakota by 2004. Invasiveness of H. axyridis and C. septempunctata was evident by their presence in a wide variety of habitats surveyed, dominance of larval coccinellid assemblages, and predation upon non-target species of aphids. Harmonia axyridis was the most abundant larval coccinellid in maize and C. septempunctata was the most abundant larval coccinellid in intercropped wheat-alfalfa. Harmonia axyridis was documented to prey upon Stegophylla quercicola (Monell), Aphis nerii Boyer de Fonscolombe, and Aphis asclepiadis Fitch in the field. Both H. axyridis and C. septempunctata preyed upon Hyalopterus pruni (Geoffroy) in the field.