Entomology, Ornithology & Herpetology: Current Research
Open Access
ISSN: 2161-0983
ISSN: 2161-0983
Amir Biranvand and Jahanshir Shakarami
Color pattern variation of the elytra and pronotum in Hippodamia vareigata Goeze (Col.: Coccinellidae) was studied during 2012-2013 in Chegeni region (Lorestan province, Iran), which resulted in the collection of a total of 500 individuals. Adult specimens were collected by sweeping net and by hand and identified based on their morphological appearance and male genitalia. Different morph of H. vareigata was separated based on morphological characteristics such as color, pattern and number and size of spots on elytra and pronotum. Results showed that, H. vareigata has different color morphs and show great variation of pattern. A total of 18 different morphs of H. vareigata were collected and identified as follows:1- Elytra red, with 11 black spots (three morphs with different patterns), 2- Elytra red, with 13 black spots (three morphs with different patterns), 3- Elytra red and orange, with 7 black spots (three morphs with different patterns), 4- Elytra red and orange, with 9 black spots (five morphs with different patterns), 5- Elytra red, with 5 black spots, 6- Elytra red, with 15 black spots, 7- Elytra red, with 1 black spot, 8- Elytra red, with 9- black spots and 1 black stripe.