On the Occurrence of Ladybirds on Broadleaved Trees in the Urban Habitats of Bulgaria

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.