Outhwaite, Charlie;
Cocker, Lauren;
Comont, Richard;
White, Hannah;
Powney, Gary;
Turvey, Katharine;
Roy, Helen;
(2025)
A database of traits for the ladybird species of the United Kingdom.
Scientific Data
, 12
, Article 1708. 10.1038/s41597-025-05985-8.
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Abstract
Trait-based approaches have become common in ecological research as they can contribute to an understanding of ecosystem functioning and how species, communities and systems may respond to environmental change. However, trait datasets are difficult and time-consuming to compile and consequently not commonly available, particularly for insects. Ladybirds, beetles in the family Coccinellidae, are an important insect group that provide key ecosystem services, primarily through predation of pest insects such as aphids and coccids. Here, we have compiled information on species traits, ecological preferences and distribution metrics for 48 species considered resident in the United Kingdom (UK) (including the harlequin ladybird) using published sources, a recently published field guide, and biological records. Species traits may inform analyses useful for conservation purposes. This database provides researchers with access to the most up-to-date assessment of UK ladybird species, promoting research into this important insect group.
| Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Title: | A database of traits for the ladybird species of the United Kingdom |
| Open access status: | An open access version is available from UCL Discovery |
| DOI: | 10.1038/s41597-025-05985-8 |
| Publisher version: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41597-025-05985-8 |
| Language: | English |
| Additional information: | © The Author(s), 2025. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Licence (CC BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ |
| Keywords: | Ecology, Zoology |
| UCL classification: | UCL UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Life Sciences UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Life Sciences > Div of Biosciences UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Life Sciences > Div of Biosciences > Genetics, Evolution and Environment |
| URI: | https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10216372 |
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