Exochomus pubescens ( Kuster, 1848 )

Najajrah, Mohammad H., Swaileh, Khalid M. & Qumsiyeh, Mazin B., 2019, Systematic list, geographic distribution and ecological significance of lady beetles (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) from the West Bank (Central Palestine), Zootaxa 4664 (1), pp. 1-46 : 19

Exochomus pubescens ( Kuster, 1848)

( Fig. 8D )

Material: Al-Auja 2 ( PMNH # E12441, 3, 5 March 2018). Al Carmel 2 ( PMNH # E12442, 2 , 12 April 2018) . Deir Krntl 1 ( PMNH # E12443, 4 , 23 April 2018) . Tulul Abu Al-Ala’iq 2 ( PMNH # E12444, 5 , 23 April 2018) . Nu’eima Altahta 1 ( PMNH # E12445, 1 , 23 April 2018) .

Remarks: Exochomus pubescens was recorded as one of the most common species in the Iranian cotton fields ( Ghahari et al. 2009). It was observed feeding on Bemisia tabaci in Iran (Modarres-Awal 2002). In the present study, Exochomus pubescens was collected from Atriplex plants around farms and natural areas only in the Jordan Valley and one locality in the eastern slopes of Hebron Hills at Al-Carmel. Further work on the distribution of this species may be warranted.

Figures

FIGURE 8. Dorsal habitus images of the Coccinellidae of the West Bank (continued): A. Chilocorus bipustulatus, B. Exochomus nigromaculatus, C. Exochomus quadripustulatus, D. Exochomus pubescens, E. Platynaspis luteorubra (Scale bar = 5mm).