Abstract

A survey was conducted in District Dir Lower, over a period of two years. Specimens of coccinellid beetles were collected from four major localities viz; Maidan, Jandool, Timergara and Adenzai. Identification of these beetles showed that 14 different species in 12 genera belonging to sub-families Coccinellinae, Chilocorinae, Scymninae and Epilachninae are present in the selected area. In the sub-family Coccinellinae, 10 species belonging to 9 genera were found which are; Coccinella septermpunctata, Coccinella transversalis, Hammonia demediate, Hippodamia varigata, Menochilus sexmaculata, Oenopia sauzeti, Propylea leuteopustulata, Halyzia tschitscherini, Illeis confuse and Hypraspis rahatiana. In the sub-family Chilocorinae and Epilachninae, Brumoides saturalis and Epilachna sp., respectively were recorded and in Scymninae, one genus and two species were recorded which are Cryptogonus nepalensis and Cryptogonus faizihanum. Out of the 14 species from Dir Lower, two (Hypraspis rahatiana and Cryptogonus faizihanum) were reported for the first time from Pakistan and is therefore, a new addition to Coccinellid fauna of Pakistan.

Key words: District Dir Lower, coccinellid beetles, Pakistan, morphological characteristics.