Ladybirds in Tuscan vineyards (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)

Abstract: Ladybird (Coccinellidae) populations of three vineyards located in the Province of Pisa (Italy) were investigated in 2012 using Malaise traps. A total of 4,057 ladybirds were collected and 38 species identified, 24 of which were present everywhere. Most of the specimens were aphidophagous (almost 80%), 8.50% coccidophagous, 8.11% mycophagous, 2.86% acarophagous and 0.12% aleurodophagous. Each vineyard was characterized by a quite different ladybird population as regards the list of the collected species as well as their numbers.