Turkish Journal of Zoology Turk J Zool (2015) 39: 1034-1040 http://journals.tubitak.gov.tr/zoology/ © TÜBİTAK Research Article doi:10.3906/zoo-1401-17 Taxonomic study of subfamily Scymninae (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) with one new record from Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan 1, 2 1 1 Muhammad ASHFAQUE *, Farman ULLAH , Muhammad Ather RAFI , Falak NAZ 1 Department of Plant and Environmental Protection, National Agricultural Research Center, Islamabad, Pakistan 2 Department of Plant Protection, University of Agriculture, Peshawar, Pakistan Received: 10.01.2014 Accepted/Published Online: 07.07.2015 Printed: 30.11.2015 Abstract: The fauna of the subfamily Scymninae (Coccinellidae: Coleoptera) of Gilgit-Baltistan was explored and studied. This study confirmed the occurrence of 4 species in 2 genera of Scymninae. These include 2 species in genus Scymnus (S. posticalis Sicard, 1913 and S. nubilus Mulstant, 1850), and 2 species in genus Stethorus (Stethorus gilvifrons (Mulstant, 1850) and S. pauperculus (Weise, 1895)). Among these 4 species, S. posticalis Sicard is reported here as a new record from the study area. A description of each species is given, along with color plates of adult specimens and genitalia. Remarks pertaining to taxonomic discussion, history, taxon status, hosts, habitat, identification key, and distribution of each species in the study area are also given. Key words: Coccinellidae, Scymninae, fauna, Scymnus, Stethorus, taxonomy, distribution, Gilgit-Baltistan 1. Introduction species from Pakistan and current knowledge on the Coccinellid beetles (Coccinellidae: Coleoptera), commonly predatory coccinellid beetles of Gilgit-Baltistan are mainly known as ladybirds, lady beetles, or ladybugs, are among based on the work of Rafi et al. (2005). In this compilation, the best-known beneficial predatory insects. Many works only 9 species of predatory coccinellids belonging to 3 recognize 6 subfamilies within this family, including subfamilies were listed from this area. Chilocorinae, Coccinellinae, Coccidulinae, Scymninae, Some members of the subfamily Scymninae are Sticholotidinae, and Epilachininae. Of these, only one predacious on tetranychid mites and are known as subfamily (Epilachininae) is phytophagous; the rest are acriphages, while others feed on scale insects and are predacious in nature. Vandenberg (2000) provided a list known as coccidophages. The subfamily is distributed of 6000 species in 370 genera of Coccinellidae worldwide, worldwide. Fürsch (1996) reported 53 genera and 25 while Ślipiński (2007) reported 6000 species in 490 genera. subgenera in 10 tribes, while Kuznetsov (1997) reported They are of economic importance due to their predatory 72 genera in 9 tribes. activity against soft-bodied insects like aphids, jassids, Irshad (2001) reported 71 species of coccinellids from psyllids, whiteflies, scale insects, and mealy bugs. They also Pakistan, but Irshad (2003) reduced this list to 61 species prey on small larvae, insect eggs, and phytophagous mites, by removing the doubtful species. Similarly, Rafi et al. which are injurious to agricultural and forest plantations. (2005) listed 75 species of predatory ladybird beetles from Predation by adults and larvae of the coccinellid beetles Pakistan. All of these compilations are based on external can have a major impact on populations of immature morphology of the adult specimens, which might result in stages of these insects (Rafi et al., 2005). identification mistakes at the species level. Although subfamilies of the Coccinellidae are more or Gilgit-Baltistan lies between 72°N and 75°N and less worldwide in distribution, many species within these between 35°E and 37°E; biogeographically, the area is in subfamilies are restricted to particular biogeographical the Palearctic region and belongs to the dry mountain regions. The Indo-Pakistan subcontinent is known to have subecological zone of Pakistan. The area is highly diverse over 300 species of Coccinellidae (Rahatullah et al., 2011). and climatic conditions vary from extreme cold to Initial documentation of predatory coccinellids of extreme hot spots, with diverse flora and fauna. The area Pakistan was done by Irshad (2001, 2003) and Irshad has many apple and grape plantations, which have mite and Khan (2005). Details regarding predatory coccinellid and scale insect infestations. As already stated, Scymnus * Correspondence: [email protected] 1034 ASHFAQUE et al. / Turk J Zool coccinellids are predators of these pests; therefore, there Male genitalia were mounted onto a plastic strip adhesive is a need to explore the Scymnus coccinellids of Gilgit- with hydrosoluble glue, and the female genitalia onto a Baltistan. Moreover, proper taxonomic studies are strip of transparent plastic with Euparal. necessary for developing biological control-based insect 2.4. Description pest management strategies (Irshad and Haq, 2010). To minimize redundancy, only characteristics peculiar to a given lower-ranking taxon are presented in its description. 2. Materials and methods The species were identified and described following the 2.1. The study area – Gilgit-Baltistan literature of Kapur (1958), Canepari and Milanese (1997), Gilgit-Baltistan (formerly the Northern Areas of Pakistan) Katakura et al. (2001), Inayatullah et al. (2005), and Rafi is spread over an area of 72,496 km2 and is administratively et al. (2005). divided into 7 districts: Astore, Diamer, Gilgit, Ghanche, Ghizer, Hunza-Nager, and Skardu. The area lies between 3. Results 72°N and 75°N and between 34.5°E and 37°E. About 44% The results of the present study revealed that there are 4 of the area is covered by mountains (rocks, wetlands, etc.), species in 2 genera of Scymninae (Coccinellidae) in Gilgit- 50% is alpine pasture, 4% forests, and 1% cultivable waste, Baltistan, Pakistan. Distribution of Scymninae species in while only 1% is under cultivation. Three high mountain the study area is shown in Figure 1. ranges, namely the Himalayas, Karakorum, and Hindu 3.1. Subfamily: Scymninae Mulsant, 1846 Kush, are found in the area. The area is home to 5 of the Synonyms: Scymninae Mulsant, 1846; Scymniens Mulsant, world’s highest peaks of above 8000 m and about 50 peaks 1846; Scymninae Della Beffa, 1912. with elevations of 7000 m. Along with other world-famous 3.2. Diagnosis peaks, Nanga Parbat (known as Killer Mountain) and K2 Body small to medium in size. Eyes and dorsum of (Mount Godwin-Austen) are located in the area. This area body with dense pubescence. Antennae short, 9- to is surrounded by China, India, and Afghanistan, and it is 11-segmented, with distinct club. Terminal segment of separated from Tajikistan by the narrow Wakhan strip. maxillary palpus with truncate apex, cylindrical. Mentum 2.2. Collection and submentum relatively widely articulated. Mandibles For collection of the coccinellid species, surveys were with 1 usually bifid tooth at apex. Pronotum anteriorly conducted in all 7 districts of Gilgit-Baltistan from 2006 to narrowed. Tarsi cryptotetramerous. 2011, mostly in the months of May through September, as 3.3. Key to the genera of subfamily Scymninae of Gilgit- the majority of the areas of Gilgit-Baltistan are accessible Baltistan only during these months due to harsh weather conditions. 1. Pronotum broadly rounded at middle of anterior Each locality was visited fortnightly or monthly depending margin. Last segment of maxillary palpi narrowed ........ upon the accessibility of the area. Standard collection ............................................................................. Stethorus procedures were applied. About 120 ladybird beetle 1. Pronotum longitudinally truncate at middle specimens were collected. Field data of each specimen was of anterior margin. Last segment of maxillary palpi recorded. In addition to the fresh collections, the housed cylindrical ........................................................... Scymnus collection of the National Insect Museum (NARC), 3.4. Genus: Scymnus Kugelann, 1794 Islamabad, was also examined. Type species: Scymnus nigrinus Kugelann, 1794, by 2.3. Genitalia extraction and examination subsequent designation of Westwood (1838–1840). For genitalia extraction, the method of Majerus and Synonyms: Scymnus Kugelann, 1794; –Mulsant, 1846; – Kearns (1989) was followed with some modifications. The Crotch, 1874; –Korschefsky, 1931. specimens were softened by putting them into hot water 3.4.1. Scymnus nubilus Mulsant, 1850 for 1 to 2 min. With the help of two entomological needles, Synonyms: Scymnus nubilus Mulsant, 1850; –Bielawski, the abdomen was detached from the body and boiled in 1972; –Booth and Pope, 1989. 10% potassium hydroxide solution for 30 min to dissolve Scymnus (Scymnus) nubilus Korschefsky, 1931. excess tissue and partially clear opaque structures. The Scymnus curtisii Mulsant, 1850 (synonymized by abdomen was cleaned in hot water and transferred to pure Booth and Pope, 1989); Scymnus suturalis Motschulsky, glacial acetic acid for 5 min. To dehydrate the abdomen, 1858; –Crotch, 1874; –Korschefsky, 1931; –Iablokoff- it was first immersed in 80% ethanol and then in absolute Khnzorian, 1972. alcohol for 5 min. Finally, the abdomen was moved to clove Scymnus stabilis Motschulsky, 1866; –Crotch, 1874; – oil. The processed abdomen was put on a cavity slide with Weise, 1900; –Korschefsky, 1931. a drop of glycerin, and the genitalia were extracted with Scymnus lateralis Sicard, 1913; –Korschefsky, 1931; – the help of two entomological needles under a stereoscope. Pang and Gordon, 1984. 1035