Population distribution and species richness of canola aphids and their natural enemies in different areas of Punjab, Pakistan

Abstract

Present study was conducted to determine the population trends and species richness of aphids and natural enemies at four locations of Punjab i.e. Faisalabad, Bahawalpur, Dera Ghazi Khan and Khanpur during 2014 and 2015. Three species of aphids i.e. Brevicoryne brassicae, Myzus persicae and Lipaphis erysimi were reported in studied locations. Brevicoryne brassicae population (38-152) was higher than that of Myzus persicae (0-77) and Lipaphis erysimi (19-41). Among various locations, maximum aphids population was observed in Khanpur (150-157) followed by Bahawalpur (77-80) Faisalabad (48-56) and D.G. Khan (38-42). Brevicoryne brassicae and Lipaphis erysimi were recorded from all locations while specie Myzus persicae was only recorded at Faisalabad. Maximum natural enemy population recorded was of ladybird beetle (1.6-2.6), followed by Green lacewing (0.7-1.6) and Syrphid fly (0.8-1.0). Species richness showed that Brevicoryne brassicae and Lipaphis erysimi were recorded from D.G. Khan and Bahawalpur, while Brevicoryne brassicae, Myzus persicae and Lipaphis erysimi were recorded from Khanpur and Faisalabad localities.