On the Occurrence of Ladybirds on Broadleaved Trees in the Urban Habitats of Bulgaria
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: In July 2024 we sampled ladybirds on broadleaved trees in urban plantings of Sofia and Koprivshtitsa (Bulgaria). During our research, a total of 812 adults and larvae belonging to 16 species were collected. While in Sofia invasive Harmonia axyridis (71.5%) and Oenopia conglobata (13.9%) were eudominant ladybirds, in Koprivshtitsa Adalia decempunctata (33.9%), Harmonia axyridis (30.7%) and Stethorus pusillus (25.1%) were eudominant. Ladybird community in Sofia was dominated by the invasive and synanthropic Harmonia axyridis, however, in a rural-like town Koprivshtitsa, native ladybirds were more abundant than this non-native ladybird. We documented the occurrence of four colour morphs of the invasive species Harmonia axyridis: succinea, spectabilis, conspicua, and equicolor with a morph succinea being the most abundant. Our research shows, that in Bulgaria, broadleaved trees in urban habitats are significant hosts of ladybird communities.
Institutions: Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences
Language: English
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4408944215