Studies on the biology and feeding capacity of Coelophora saucia (Mulsant), a significant predator of Aphis pomi De Geer, on apple hosts in Himachal Pradesh, India

Abstract

The present investigation was carried out in Himachal Pradesh, India. Nine different species of ladybird beetles were found feeding on the green apple aphid Aphis pomi De Geer in an apple orchard and apple nursery plants in Himachal Pradesh. These species belong to the order Coleoptera and family Coccinellidae. Coelophora saucia (Mulsant) is a formidable predator of Aphis pomi De Geer in Himachal Pradesh, India. This study investigated the life cycle of Coelophora saucia (a mussel). Both the larval and adult stages of this predator vigorously consumed green apple aphids. Therefore, studying the biology and feeding capacity of Coelophora saucia (a mussel) on green apple aphids from the perspective of biological control in apple-growing regions of Himachal Pradesh is useful.

Keywords

• Apple host
• Biological management
• Coccinellid predators
• Green apple aphid