A REVIEW OF APHIDS (HOMOPTERA: APHIDIDAE) AND THEIR NATURAL ENEMIES IN VEGETABLE CROP ECOSYSTEMS IN JAMMU AND KASHMIR, INDIA

In order to explore aphid pests and their naturally occurring bio-control agents (parasitoids and predators), an extensive field survey was conducted in different vegetable ecosystems of the Kashmir Valley during the years from 2014-2019. Moreover, a through literature survey pertaining to aphids, reported from Jammu and Kashmir region, was also done. Accordingly, based on these studies, it was concluded that as many as 18 species of aphids belonging to 12 genera infest as many as 26 species and 30 varieties of vegetable crops in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). Among these aphids, the most abundant species, which infest many most vegetable plant species, are Aphis craccivora Koch, Aphis fabae solanella Theobald, Aphis gossypii Glover, Brevicoryne brassicae (Linnaeus) and Myzus persicae (Sulzer). It was also concluded that at least 29 species of insect predators and 17 species of parasitoids occur naturally to suppress these aphid species in vegetable ecosystems in J&K. Among these natural enemies, the commonly occurring ones are Adalia tetraspilota (Hope), Coccinella septempunctata L., Cheilomenes sexmaculatus Fabricius, Hippodamia variegata (Goe.), Propylea luteopustulata (Mulsant) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae); Chrysoperla zastrowi Sillemi (Esben-Petersen) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae); Episyrphus balteatus DeGeer, Melanostoma univitatum (Wiedemann), Sphaerophoria scripta (Linnaeus) (Diptera: Syrhidae); Aphidius matricariae Haliday, Diaeretiella rapae (McIntosh), Trioxys spp. (Hymenoptera : Braconidae). In sum, through this study, a comprehensive account of aphids and their natural enemies with reference to vegetable crops in J&K region is presented. This work will be useful for the studies concerning the devising of strategies for Integrated Control Program of aphids, especially through utilization of natural bio-control agents.