''Zagloba'' is a genus of scalehunter lady beetles in the family
Coccinellidae
Coccinellidae () is a widespread family (biology), family of small beetles. They are commonly known as ladybugs in North America and ladybirds in the United Kingdom; "lady" refers to Mary, mother of Jesus, mother Mary. Entomologists use the ...
. There are at least four described species in the ''Zagloba''.
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The genus Zagloba belongs to the family Coccinellidae, commonly known as lady beetles or ladybugs. These beetles are specialized predators, often targeting scale insects, which are small, sap-sucking pests that infest plants. By preying on these pests, Zagloba species play a significant role in natural pest control, contributing to ecological balance and agricultural health.
Key Features of Zagloba Species:
1. Predatory Behavior: Like many lady beetles, Zagloba species are effective predators, particularly of
soft-bodied arthropods like scale insects.
2. Morphology: While specific physical descriptions can vary by species, they generally have a characteristic lady beetle shape—rounded and slightly domed, with coloration and patterning that can vary.
3. Habitat: These beetles are typically found in areas where their prey is abundant, including forests, gardens, and
agricultural regions
Agriculture encompasses crop and livestock production, aquaculture, and forestry for food and non-food products. Agriculture was a key factor in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food ...
.
Known Species
Currently, at least four species are classified under the genus Zagloba, though the precise number may vary as taxonomic research progresses. Here are a few examples (if available from updated databases or studies, specific species names could be mentioned):
''Zagloba bicolor''
''
Zagloba ornata''
''Zagloba saturni''
''Zagloba opaca''
Ecological Importance:
Biological Control: By feeding on pest populations like
scale insects
Scale insects are small insects of the order Hemiptera, suborder Sternorrhyncha. Of dramatically variable appearance and extreme sexual dimorphism, they comprise the infraorder Coccomorpha which is considered a more convenient grouping than the ...
, Zagloba beetles reduce the need for chemical pesticides, benefiting both agriculture and ecosystems.
Biodiversity Indicators: Their presence can indicate the health of an ecosystem, as they thrive in environments with diverse
flora
Flora (: floras or florae) is all the plant life present in a particular region or time, generally the naturally occurring (indigenous (ecology), indigenous) native plant, native plants. The corresponding term for animals is ''fauna'', and for f ...
and prey availability.
Further studies into Zagloba may reveal additional species and more detailed information about their behavior, distribution, and ecological roles.
Species
* ''
Zagloba aeneipennis''
(Sicard, 1929)
* ''
Zagloba beaumonti''
Casey, 1899
* ''
Zagloba bicolor''
Casey, 1899
* ''
Zagloba hystrix''
Casey, 1899
* ''
Zagloba ornata''
(Horn, 1895)
* ''
Zagloba mimica''
González & Aguilera, 2009
* ''
Zagloba obscura''
Gordon, 1970
* ''
Zagloba ornata''
(Horn, 1895)
* ''
Zagloba satana''
Gordon, 1985
References
Further reading
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Coccinellidae
Coccinellidae genera
{{coccinellidae-stub