Exploration of natural enemy fauna of aphids and associated ant species from eastern dry zone of Karnataka, India

Abstract

Purposive surveys were conducted at regular intervals in different districts of eastern dry zone of Karnataka (Zone 5) during the year 2021-22, to document the natural enemy fauna and the ant species associated with aphids. Out of 34 aphid species recorded, 16 species of aphids were preyed on by 14 species of predators belonging to Coccinellidae, Syrphidae, Hemerobiidae and Chamaemyiidae and seven species of aphids were found parasitized by eight species of parasitoids belonging to Braconidae. Predators belonging to Coccinellidae and Syrphidae were recorded more abundantly with six species in each family, preying on 12 and 10 aphid species, respectively. Among the aphid parasitoids, Aphidius spp. was the more abundant taxa. Eleven species of ants belonging to Formicinae, Myrmicinae and Dolichoderinae were found associated with 17 aphid species. Ants belonging to the genus Camponotus were found to be more abundant and associated with 10 species of aphids. A comprehensive list of predators, parasitoids and ants associated with different aphid species was put together during this study.