Novel Prey Record for Scymnus caudalis LeConte and First Records of Four Other Species of Coccinellidae (Coleoptera) in Wisconsin, U.S.A.

Abstract

New prey and distribution records are presented for five species of lady beetles (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae). Scymnus (Pullus) caudalis LeConte is recorded for the first time preying on Aphis asclepiadis Fitch (Hemiptera: Aphididae). Four other lady beetle species are newly recorded in the state of Wisconsin, U.S.A: Diomus amabilis (LeConte), Diomus terminatus Say, Scymnus (Pullus) uncus Wingo, and Hyperaspidius wolcotti (Nunenmacher). The new state records represent minor to moderate extensions of previously known geographic distributions for these species. In addition, the records emphasize the importance of processing uncurated zoological specimens to provide information about the prey of particular species and to enhance knowledge about a region’s biodiversity. Furthermore, some specimens with the new state records were obtained as trap bycatch and thereby demonstrate the importance of processing nontarget species to increase knowledge of regional biodiversity.