Revisiting diversity of coccinellid beetle in Mount Gede-Pangrango National Park: a preliminary observation

Abstract

Declines in insect population and diversity particularly in the tropical forest region have stimulated wide interest among researchers worldwide. Loss of insect diversity and abundance is expected to provoke cascading effect on the ecosystem, but few data and documentation are available. So far, the coccinellid beetle study in Mount Gede-Pangrango National Park, Indonesia was conducted more than 40 years ago with last well-documented exploration by 2004. We aimed to update and deliver the newest data on the diversity of coccinellids of Mount Gede-Pangrango National Park. We tracked along the interpretation path and beetles were collected using hand method during observation between July 2018 to October 2019. A total of 17 species coccinellids were identified. Seven species belong to the phytophagous group of Diekeana, Epilachna, and Henosepilachna. Two mycophagous species from Psylloborini and Sticholotidini tribe, while others species (8 species) are a member of the predatory group, including Coccinellini and Chilocorini tribe. In this study, plenty of them are common species and widely distributed in the open area of the buffer zone. Our temporary findings indicate the possibility of species loss compared to past surveys that discover rare taxa, such as Ryszardia, and other specialist Epilachna group infesting wild host-plants.