21 Kas 2024 Perşembe
Systematics, biology, economic importance, natural enemies and food plants of Aphis (Aphis) spiraecola Patch, 1914 (Hemiptera: Aphididae) in India
Abstract : Aphis (Aphis) spiraecola Patch, 1914, commonly known as green citrus aphid, spirea aphid, and apple aphid is a polyphagous feeding on 249 species of host plants belonging to 64 families. However, in few associations the aphids may be vagrent on them without feeding. It reproduces anholocyclclic but records of oviparous females suggest possible holocyclic reproduction in India. It is a key pest on several economically important crops, e.g. citrus, apples and ornamentals in India. In fields, its population is naturally managed by 11 species of parasitic wasps and 43 species of predators of which ladybird beetles (31 species) are dominating followed by hover fly larvae (9 species). A total of 7 species of ants are reported to attend the colonies of Aphis (Aphis) spiraecola on different plants.