Coccinellidae as biological controller in crops 🐞

Ulises Flores
8/11/2019

Hello Dear Readers!

In the front garden of the university I was struck by a small colorful insect that moved very quickly between the leaves of the plants, I stopped to observe better and I realized that it was a tiny beetle commonly known as a ladybug, a species of coleoptera that comprises the family Coccinellidae.

Coleoptera Coccinellidae (Ladybug)

It is a noble insect with an average length of 10 millimeters, characterized by its hemispherical dorsal body with short legs that are attached to the lower edge of its flat belly, has a colorful tegument that protects its outer part, antennas, head and legs are black, while the ribbed tissue of its wings is dotted with black spots.

The tegumentary system is equipped with an effective defense system against predators and invading agents, as the presence of bright and striking colors warns that it is protected by a powerful mechanism generator and dispenser of poison glands, this biological system of protection that have some plant and animal species is called aposematism.

Ecological balance and control

This noble insect plays a fundamental role in the trophic chain, its diet includes a varied microfauna that depending on the point of view and interest to be interpreted, is characterized as a biological controller of insects or pests, as it consumes aphids (they are not fleas), which feed on tender leaves and some are virus carriers. Also, they are predators of fly larvae (Muscidae), cochineal pests that are harmful parasites that are fixed on the leaves and stems of plants in crops, mites and other insects harmful to agricultural activity.

Today, many farmers and lovers of agronomic activity in gardens, orchards and other forms of crops use Coccinellidae species for biological pest control. Its effectiveness has been demonstrated in fruit plantations of orange, lemon, soursop, some palms, oilseeds and grasses.

The use of predatory insect species in agriculture is an old practice, in recent years has been taking more interest and increasingly promoted ecological practices to avoid the use of biocides and other conventional agents that degrade soils, pollute water, air, eliminate biological agents that control biodiversity, likewise phytosanitary mechanisms often represent a problem for human health.

The care of the environment and the practice of good ecological relations is everyone's duty.

References

1. Common name: ladybirds, lady beetles, ladybugs [of Florida]
   scientific name: (Insecta: Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) link
2. How to control pests and diseases? Biological vs. chemical link
3. The Functional Significance of Aposematic Signals: Geographic Variation in the Responses of Widespread Lizard Predators to Colourful Invertebrate Prey link

Resources

The photographs were taken with digital camera of mobile equipment Iphone 6 plus