Predatory lady beetles (coleoptera, coccinellidae) in the cereal agrocenoses in the northern forest-steppe of Western Siberia and the influence of agrotechnology methods on them
In the forest-steppe of Western Siberia lady beetles are one of prevailing and effective groups of entomophages. Among 17 species of predatory Coccinellidae recorded in the cereal agrocenoses and on bird cherry (the primary host of Rhopalosiphum padi ), Propylea quatuordecimpunctata, Coccinella septempunctata, Hippodamia tredecimpunctata, H. variegatа and H. arctica are predominant. Data on the species composition and ecological features of lady beetles in agrocenoses (winter rye, spring wheat and oats), and the impact of agrotechnical methods (the main treatment of soil, application of chemicals, and preceding crops) and technology of cultivation on ladybirds’ numbers are presented.