Host range and diversity of coccinellid (Coleoptera) predators of aphid pests in vegetable crop ecosystems of Kashmir, with new host aphid/plant records

Abstract

During extensive surveys for three consecutive years in Kashmir as many as 11 species of coccinellids were recorded viz., Adalia tetraspilota (hope), Calvia punctata (Mulsant), Cheilomenes sexmaculata (Fabricius), Coccinella septempunctata Linnaeus, Coccinella undecimpunctata Linnaeus, Priscibrumus uropygialis (Mulsant) (=Exochomus uropygialis), Hippodamia variegata (goeze), Oenopia conglobata (Linnaeus), Platynaspidius saundersi (crotch) (=Platynaspis saundersi), Propylea luteopustulata (Mulsant) and Scymnus sp.). these species were observed preying on 6 species of aphids (Aphis fabae, Aphis craccivora, Aphis gossypii, Brevicoryne brassicae, Lipaphis erysimi, Myzus persicae) on 12 species of host vegetables crops. A total of 42 different host/prey aphid-predator couples in vegetable ecosystems are being recorded for the first time from Kashmir. Apart from this, 6 new predator-aphid prey couples on vegetable crops are also being recorded for the first time from Kashmir region.