Life Sciences Commons^™

Comparisons Of Native And Non-Native Lady Beetles: Habitat Distribution And Interactions With Prey And Competitors, Christy J. L. Finlayson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Lady beetles (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), as a group, are considered beneficial because they prey on plant pests. A number of studies suggest that non-native species introduced for biological control have replaced native species in agriculture. Agricultural and non-agricultural habitats were thus surveyed in Maine to determine if native species were still dominant in some areas. In 2004 and 2005, 3,487 and 2,903 beetles were collected, respectively, with non-native species dominant in all but one habitat (coniferous forest). Native species were found in very low numbers in all habitats surveyed. Comparisons between species were then conducted to determine if differences exist that …