Note on some aphids affecting economically important plants in Sikkim.

Abstract

During observations carried out in Sikkim, India, several species of aphids were reported to attack economically important plants. Tree tomato (Cyphomandra betacea) was infested by Aphis citricola v. d. Goot (spiraecola Patch), Myzus persicae (Sulz.) and aphids of the complex of A. gossypii Glov., and the parasite Ephedrus plagiator (Nees) and predators such as Coccinella septempunctata L., Oenopia sauzeti Muls. and larvae of unidentified syrphids were associated with these aphids. Eriosoma lanigerum (Hsm.) was observed infesting apple; Aulacorthum magnoliae (Essig & Kuw.) and aphids of the Aphis gossypii complex attacked Sechium edule, and in turn were attacked by unidentified hymenopterans and syrphid larvae; squash was attacked by the A. gossypii complex; chilli (Capsicum spp.) was infested by aphids of the A. gossypii complex, which were preyed upon by Coccinella septempunctata, O. sauzeti and unidentified syrphid larvae, and parasitised by Ephedrus plagiator; beans (Lablab purpureus (Dolichos lablab) and Vicia faba) were infested by aphids of the complex of A. fabae Scop., which were attacked by the same natural enemies as A. gossypii on chilli; Lipaphis erysimi (Kalt.), and to a lesser extent M. persicae, infested cabbage, and were attacked by the endoparasites E. plagiator and Diaeretiella rapae (M'Intosh), and larvae of the syrphid Episyrphus balteatus (Deg.); and 9 aphid species were found to infest bamboo, of which the most important was Paraoregma alexanderi (Tak.).