author(s)
Effiong, Bassey Kingsley, Ene, Oku, Abo Nta

abstract
Ladybirds (Coccinellidae) are natural predators of insect pests, offering an environmentally friendly alternative to chemical pest control in agricultural systems. My study aimed at assessing the abundance and diversity of ladybirds across four sites: a cassava farm (Site A), a grassy field (site B), bushes (site C), and shrub stands (site D) over a six-month period (July-December 2017). Sampling was done randomly within quadrants (10x10 meters) of each site for 1-2 hours, with individuals collected via netting and hand-picking. A total of 864 ladybird individuals, comprising six species across three sub-families (Chilocorinae, Coccinellinae, and Epilachninae), were recorded. Chilocorus stigma (38%) was the most abundant species, while Harmonia octomaculata (2%) was the least. Site A had the highest abundance (571 individuals), and site B had the lowest (2 individuals). Predatory ladybirds outnumbered herbivorous ones. The population was significantly higher (p<0.05) during the dry season (694 individuals) than the rainy season (170 individuals). Chilocorus stigma dominated both seasons, with peak abundance in November. Ladybird populations were lowest in July and highest in November. These findings suggest that frequent surveys are necessary to evaluate ladybird fauna for supporting integrated pest management. Additionally, conservation of natural habitats is crucial as ladybirds are sensitive to habitat changes.