Coccinellids (coleoptera:coccinellidae) in citrus groves in Portugal: listing and analysis of geographical distribution

Coccinellids were sampled in 88 citrus groves from the centre / south of continental Portugal. Analysis of distribution were performed by the usual indices but also with the help of a new method - SADIE. 38 species were identified, 36 of which are predators. Five coccinellids seem to have aggregated distributions ; UTM maps of those species distributions are presented. Among these five, Nephus reunioni Fürsch and Nephus includens (Kirsch) are the more abundant. Previous studies about these two coccinellids distributions are confirmed: N. reunioni is limited to a region of about 80 Km diameter around Lisbon while N. includens appears only in Algarve. Coccidophagous species and a group of Scymnus sp. and Nephus sp., with unknown food preferences in citrus, are the most important in terms of richness and abundance.