THE KNOWN DISTRIBUTION OF THE PREDATOR PROPYLEA-QUATTUORDECIMPUNCTATA(COLEOPTERA, COCCINELLIDAE) IN THE UNITED-STATES, AND THOUGHTS ON THEORIGIN OF THIS SPECIES AND 5 OTHER EXOTIC LADY BEETLES IN EASTERN NORTH-AMERICA

We provide 86 new collection records for the exotic P. quatuordecimpun ctata, increasing its known range from 13 to 99 counties, and from thr ee to nine states. The recovery data indicate that the actual distribu tion of this coccinellid is likely even larger, because systematic and broad surveys have been done in only a few areas. Evidence provided f or P. 14-punctata and five other aphidophagous coccinellids [Coccinell a undecimpunctata, C septempunctata, Harmonia axyridis, H. quadripunct ata, and Hippodamia variegata] indicates that all six species were fir st established accidentally in eastern North America, and that they mo st likely were introduced through seaports. Inland ports appear to fac ilitate establishment, compared to urban, coastal ports.