01 Oca 2026 Perşembe
A catalogue of tri-trophic associations of aphidophagous species of the genus Hippodamia (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) in India
Abstract : This study examines the tri-trophic interactions involving three species of aphidophagous ladybirds from the genus Hippodamia Chevrolat (Coccinellidae: Coleoptera): Hippodamia convergens Guérin-Méneville, Hippodamia tredecimpunctata (Linnaeus), and Hippodamia variegata (Goeze), found in orchards and agroecosystems in both northern and southern India. Of these, Hippodamia variegata is the most polyphagous, preying on 67 different species of aphids, whereas the others typically consume between 1 and 6 aphid species. All recorded species have been observed feeding on a total of 71 aphid species that infest 125 species of host plants across just 14 states and union territories in India. The largest number of tri-trophic interactions (triplets) involving Hippodamia species can be found in the northwest regions of India, including Jammu & Kashmir (91 triplets), Uttar Pradesh (54 triplets), Uttarakhand (36 triplets), Himachal Pradesh (25 triplets), and Delhi (17 triplets). The primary association of Hippodamia species is with several species of aphids that infest both agricultural (such as cereals, oilseeds, and vegetables) and horticultural crops (including apples, peaches, roses, and walnuts). Given that no prior attempts have been made to document their tri-trophic interactions in less-explored areas of India, comprehensive surveys are necessary to catalogue these aphidophagous ladybird predators in those states and union territories.