Seasonal abundance of adults of Coccinella septempunctata L. (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) parasitized by coccinellid parasitoid, Dinocampus coccinellae (Schrank) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) in Kahramanmaras province

In this study, seasonal abundance of adults of Coccinella septempunctata L. (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) parasitized by coccinellid parasitoid, Dinocampus coccinellae (Schrank) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) in three different regions (Central, Andirin and Goksun district) in Kahramanmaras province were determined. This study indicated that parasitism rates of D. coccinellae on C. septempunctata adults varied greatly in the districts and seasons. Low parasitism rates were observed on hibernating adults or newly emerged adults of C. septempunctata from hibernation sites in two districts (Goksun and Andirin) while high parasitism rates were observed in Central district. There was only one peak of D. coccinellae on the adults of C. septempunctata in all three districts throughout the season. Timing of peaks in Goksun and Andirin district was found to be different from that in Central district. The maximum parasitism rate was higher in Central (27%) and Andirin (24%) district than that in Goksun (16%) district. Parasitism rate on the both hibernated (27%) and new generation (23.5%) adults of C. septempunctata in Central district was reached the important levels. In conclusion, this study indicated that the mortality of C. septempunctata adults due to parasitism of D. coccinellae especially in Central district of Kahramanmaras could have an impact on developing populations of C. septempunctata in the spring.