Seasonal incidence and natural enemy complex of aphid, Aphis punicae Passerini (Hemiptera: Aphididae) infesting pomegranate in Kashmir

Abstract

Survey on the pest incidence of pomegranate aphid ( Aphis punicae ) and natural enemies associated with it was conducted during 2016 at four locations each in district Srinagar and Baramulla. The studies revealed that that the highest mean population of aphids/shoot (33.99) was recorded in Srinagar, whereas, in Baramulla lower population of aphids/shoot (24.10) was recorded in comparison to Srinagar. Data further revealed that among different locations of Srinagar, highest average number of aphids/shoot (40.30) was observed at CITH and minimum (27.54) in Botakadal. Similarly, in district Baramulla highest mean number of aphids/shoot (27.63) was recorded at Sopore, whereas the lowest mean population (21.11/shoot) was observed at Dangerpora. The pest started its activity in I st week of April and reached to its peak in the 2 nd week of May in both the districts. Thereafter, the population of aphids declined gradually. The studies on natural enemies revealed that six coccinellid predators, viz., Coccinella septempunctata , Harmonia eucharis , Cheilomenes sexmaculata , Adalia tetraspilota , Hippodamia variegate and Calvia punctata and two syrphids viz, Sphaerophoria bengalensis and Episyrphus balteatus were found associated with pomegranate aphids. Among the natural enemies C. septempunctata was found to be the most dominant in both the districts. Overall, the abundance of natural enemies associated with pomegranate aphids in Baramulla was comparatively lesser than Srinagar.