D3432: Comparing conventional and alternative habitats for native species of agrobiont lady beetles

Alternative habitats to corn and soybean fields may help to stem declines of native lady beetles in the Midwestern U.S., but the relative values of various habitats to native lady beetles have not been directly compared. The goal of this two-year study was to compare the abundance and species composition of native agrobiont lady beetles among habitats such as corn, winter grains, prairie, and woods across three seasons (late spring, summer, and fall). Yellow sticky traps were used to sample lady beetles. Thirteen species of lady beetles were captured with yellow sticky traps across the two years of sampling. Coleomegilla maculata lengi and Hippodamia convergens were the most abundant species and found in all habitat types, and their abundance was associated with several habitats throughout the year. Harmonia axyridis was the third-most abundant species, but only associated with particular habitats in summer and fall. Other species were sampled at relatively low numbers. Implications for lady beetle conservation are discussed in light of the findings. Knowledge about favorable alternative habitats for lady beetles that prey on crop pests can be applied toward developing recommendations for the management of particular kinds of habitats within agricultural landscapes.