Arthropod insect aphids, also known as plant lice, are small soft bodied insects that suck the sap of the plant. Which belong to the subfamily Aphidinae. There are about 400 species of aphids under 60 genera worldwide. Out of which 125 species of aphids are found under 25 genera in India and in Uttarakhand (plain region to very high altitude) under 4 genera of aphids 65 species of aphids are found, of which the genus Aphidius represents the largest number of species.Aphids are abundant in temperate climates and attack a wide variety of plants causing great damage to agricultural crops, horticultural fruits and vegetables.Its outbreak is influenced by temperature, humidity and other environmental factors. Aphids are small, soft bodied, wingless, viviparous and parasitoid insects which have a pair of tube like projections cornicles or wax secreting tube on the abdomen, that may stunt plant growth, produce plant galls, transmit plant virus diseases, and cause the deformation of leaves, buds, and flowers.They affect the crops like mustard, cabbage, pea, potato, bean, lemon, cotton etc. and flowers like rose, lily, marigold etc. There is a lack of information about aphid diversity, ecology and inventory in the mountainous region. Thus in this study an attempt has been made to review and survey the diversity of aphids in the Uttarakhand Garhwal region.

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Climate change has an impact on agriculture and insect pests that affect the crop production. Aphid pests occur throughout the temperate region of the world andcause direct damage by sucking plants sap which affects growth and yield of the crops. Species of aphids are diverse and ubiquitous but their importance among crop differs.Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is an electromagnetic radiation and constitutes about 10% of the total light output of sunlight. Ultraviolet-B coming due to ozone depletion is the most photo chemically reactive wavelength of solar radiation and important stressor to organisms particularly in their early stages of life and affect ecosystem. Psoralene and alpha- terthienyl are naturally occurring plant metabolites found in many crops and become photo reactive in presence of solar ultraviolet- B radiation. Measurement of solar ultraviolet radiation (UV-B and UV-E) was performed in Garhwalregion of Uttarakhand. Morphological, behavioural changes, mortality rate and glutathione contents were observed in mustard and roseaphids after ultraviolet-B irradiation with psoralene and α-terthienyl photo sensitizers. UV-B and UV-E radiation showed seasonal, diurnal and altitudinal variations. α- terthienyland psoralenewith ultraviolet-B radiation showed stunted growth, morphological changes, low reproduction and high mortality up to 26% in aphids. Reduction in glutathione (GSH) level in aphids was also observed after UV- B and photosensitizersexposure.Enhanced UV-B was found more toxic with photosensitizers andthus, can be used as natural insecticide. Dose, intensity and species dependent changes in toxicity of psoralene and α- terthienyl were observed in aphids. Resultsindicate that UV-B radiation with photosensitizers has toxic effect on aphids population, dispersal and diversity. Psoralene was found more toxic than α- terthienyl in aphids. Mustard aphid (Lipaphis erysimi) was found more sensitive than rose aphid (Macrosiphum rosae).

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