Survey and distribution of lady beetles [Coccinellidae] in citrus groves in Israel

The importance ofCoccinellidae species found in the citrus groves of Israel was evaluated according to their prey, frequency and distribution. Dense populations of aphidophagous coccinellids were found very often, feeding on scale insects in citrus groves where none of their usual prey was present; these may therefore also be important as scale predators. A few species were distributed equally in all areas, some were more frequent in the Coastal Plain and others in the warmer parts of the country.