New York’s State insect, Coccinella novemnotata (C-9), formerly ranged across New York State and into Southern Canada. This once abundant member of the Coccinellidae family has ceased to be collected in the Northeast. Although sporadically collected in the Midwest and Western U.S., several recent surveys have not recovered any individuals. A Master Gardener survey across New York State documented current species composition and collected no C-9. Possible explanations for the decline of this species are described and evaluated within an organizational framework of trophic interactions, from bottom-up, to lateral, to top-down interactions. Bottom-up interactions include loss of agricultural land, crop foraging success and aphid community shifts. Intraguild predation, exploitation and hybridization are examples of lateral forces described. Top-down interactions include pathogens and parasitism. It is likely that many of these factors acted in concert to cause the demise of C-9. Many other native members of this extremely beneficial family are also being collected only rarely or not at all. Extensive monitoring of native coccinellids is warranted to document declines, current species compositions and ranges. Unlike many other rare and endangered insects, coccinellids are well known and appreciated by the public. Their charisma and beneficial properties could make them an attractive flagship species for insect conservation.
Species 1: Coleoptera Coccinellidae Coccinella novmenotata (C-9, Nine spot lady beetle)
Species 2: Coleoptera Coccinellidae Coccinella septempunctata (C-7, Seven spot lady beetle)
Species 3: Coleoptera Coccinellidae Harmonia axyridis (Multi-colored Asian lady beetle)
Keywords: introduced species, native species
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