Coccinellidae (Coleoptera) associated to Brassica rapa (Brassicaceae) during winter and spring in Tucumán, Argentina

Abstract

Here we present a study on species belonging to the Coccinellidae family, their abundance and population fluctuation associated to Brassica rapa L. (= B. camprestris L.) (Brassicaceae), or turnip, in a corn cultivated area of the province of Tucumán, during winter and spring. A total of seven species belonging to four subfamilies were identified: Coccinellinae: Cycloneda sanguínea (L.), Hippodamia convergens Guérin- Méneville; Eriopis connexa (Germar), Cycloneda. ancoralis (Germar); Scymninae: Scymnus loewii Mulsant; Hyperaspidinae: Hyperaspis festiva Mulsant, and Halyziinae: Psyllobora sp. (F). The most abundant species were H. convergens (52.54 %) and E. connexa (32.12 %). The presence of B. rapa within agricultural systems was essential since they served as reservoirs for predators of plague species on crops.