Study of distribution and morphological characters of aphids occurred in major Kharif and Rabi crop ecosystems from the region, Akola, Maharashtra, India

Abstract

The present investigation entitled “Aphid diversity and associated predatory fauna in different crop-ecosystems of Akola” was carried out during the year 2017-2018. During study period total 1810 specimens of aphids and 205 specimens of predatory fauna associated with aphids collected from various Kharif and Rabi crops agro-ecosystem. Pictorial key was developed during the course of investigation based on morphological characters facilitates to identify the aphid fauna from different crop-ecosystems up to species level. The aphids, Aphis gossypii (Glover) was found in three crops viz. Cotton, Okra and Sunflower. Aphis craccivora species was found on Cowpea, Bean and Citrus crops. The results of this study indicate that both Aphis gossypii (Glover) and Aphis craccivora have a wide range of host and vertical distribution from low to high. Hysteroneura setariae species of aphids were first time recorded for this locality. Pictorial key developed during the investigations based on morphological characters is useful in insect pest management. This investigation may helpful to the farmers as well as researchers and students for awareness, identification, distribution and characterization studies of the different aphids species found in various kharif and rabi crop agro-ecosystem in Akola district of Maharashtra.