Entomology, Ornithology & Herpetology: Current Research
Open Access

Abstract

Morphological Variation in the Ladybird Beetles (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) Abdominal Segments in Ventral View

SK. M. Rahaman and T. Aniszewski

Ladybird beetles abdomen consists 1st to 8th or 1st to 9th segments where is 1st, 2nd and 3rd segments are invisible. Only 4th to 8th in the male or 4th to 9th in the female ventral segments is clearly visible in the ladybird beetles abdomen. Sixteen experimental ladybird species first abdominal segment is well evaluated and significantly different, which was studied and resulted in the collection of total of 365 specimens. Abdominal shape, size and color are representing strong morphological characters in different species of Coccinellids. Abdominal segments morphological variation can appear to be associated with industrial pollution, behavioral diversity and climatic factors. In their behavioral activity abdomens shape, size, color and hairs may carry seasonal variation for finding odors, meeting a partner and honeydew in their host-plant for complete reproduction. Finally, the abdominal segments character can be used for ladybird beetle species identification.