Ecology and diversity of plant aphids in Garhwal region of Uttarakhand, India

Abstract

Arthropod insect aphids, also known as plant lice, are small soft bodied insects that suck the sap of the plant. Which belong to the subfamily Aphidinae. There are about 400 species of aphids under 60 genera worldwide. Out of which 125 species of aphids are found under 25 genera in India and in Uttarakhand (plain region to very high altitude) under 4 genera of aphids 65 species of aphids are found, of which the genus Aphidius represents the largest number of species. Aphids are abundant in temperate climates and attack a wide variety of plants causing great damage to agricultural crops, horticultural fruits and vegetables. Its outbreak is influenced by temperature, humidity and other environmental factors. Aphids are small, soft bodied, wingless, viviparous and parasitoid insects which have a pair of tube like projections cornicles or wax secreting tube on the abdomen, that may stunt plant growth, produce plant galls, transmit plant virus diseases, and cause the deformation of leaves, buds, and flowers. They affect the crops like mustard, cabbage, pea, potato, bean, lemon, cotton etc. and flowers like rose, lily, marigold etc. There is a lack of information about aphid diversity, ecology and inventory in the mountainous region. Thus in this study an attempt has been made to review and survey the diversity of aphids in the Uttarakhand Garhwal region.