A REVIEW OF THE SPECIES RESEMBLING CHILOCORUS-NIGRITA (COLEOPTERA, COCCINELLIDAE) - POTENTIAL AGENTS FOR BIOLOGICAL-CONTROL

Chilocorus nigrita (Fabricius) is a well-known predator of scale insec ts. It has been widely used for biological control and has spread natu rally beyond its previous native range over the last three decades or so. Three other Oriental species closely resembling C, nigrita can now be separated. Chilocorus melas Weise is redescribed and a lectotype d esignated. Chilocorus gressitti Miyatake is a junior synonym of C. mel as. Chilocorus subindicus from the southern parts of the Indian subcon tinent and C, gracilior from eastern Indonesia are described as new.