Diversity of Aphid Pests (Homoptera: Aphididae) and their Natural Bio-Control Agents in Vegetable Crop Ecosystems of Jammu & Kashmir, India

Abstract

The aphids (Homoptera: Aphididae) are one of major pests of agriculturally important crops, including vegetables, across the world. They suck plant sap, cause leaf curling, yellowing and stunted growth of the host plants. They also act as vectors of many viral diseases in plants. 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, 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). It was also concluded that at least 29 species of insect predators and 17 species of parasitoids occur naturally to suppress these aphid pest species in vegetable ecosystems in J&K. In sum, through this study, a comprehensive account of aphids and their natural enemies with reference to vegetable crops in J&K 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.

Diversity of Aphids (Homoptera: Aphididae) Infesting Polygonaceous Plants (Angiospermae: Caryophyllales: Polygonaceae) in India

“…(David, 1957;Behura, 1963) • Polygonum sp. (Raychaudhuri, 1973;Ghosh and Agarwala, 1980) • Rumex acetosa L. (Bhagat, 2012;Bhat, 2017;Bhat et al, 2020) • Rumex acetosella L. (Stary and Raychaudhuri, 1982) • Rumex nepalensis Spreng. (Raychaudhuri, 1973;Singh et al, 2003;Bhat et al, 2020)…”

“…Singh et al, 2003) • Rumex sp. (Khan and Shah, 2017;Bhat et al, 2020) 4. Aphis (Aphis) longisetosa Basu, 1969Basu, (1970 • Polygonum sp.…”

“…• Rumex acetosella L. (Bhat et al, 2020) • Rumex nepalensis Spreng. (Bhat et al, 2020) • Rumex sp. (Chakrabarti and Sarkar, 2001)…”

Impact of Foliar Application of Calcium Nitrate and Chelated Calcium in Combination with Boric Acid on the Vegetative Growth, Yield, Quality Components and Insect Control of Globe Artichoke

“…This study recorded two predators on three types of aphids were Coccinnella undecimpunctata (Coccinellidae) and Chrysoperla carnea (Chrsoperlidae) showed the most common predators of artichoke aphids are lady beetles and their larvae. At least 29 spices of insect predators belonging to 25 genera under 5 families such as Coccinellidae and Chrsoperlidae commonly and feed on aphid species on vegetable crops in Jammu and Kashmir (Bhat et al,2020). The calcium seed priming improves wheat's resistance to the destructive aphid because Ca2 + signals are necessary for the activation of plant immune responses.…”

Occurence of Garden Pebble Moth Evergestis Forcifalis in Mid Hills of Garhwal, Uttarakhand

“…Evergestis forficalis (L.) (Lepidoptera, Crambidae), commonly known as the garden pebble moth has been recorded from Europe, the Palearctic and North America and some parts of Asia. The moth has been reported as a pest on several cruciferous vegetables in India (Gupta, 1994;Bhat et al, 2011;Bhat and Ahanger, 2018;Chandra et al, 2019;Anonymous, 2023). The garden pebble moth E. forcifalis was observed infesting cruciferous plants at Bharsar Pauri Garhwal ( 29° 20' N-29° 75' N latitude and 78° 10' E -78° 80' E longitude).…”