An updated checklist of arthropod predators of aphids (Homoptera: Aphididae) infesting Artemisia species (Asteraceae) across India
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64171/JAE.6.3.34-45Keywords:
Aphid, Artemisia, Biological control, Checklist, Hover flies, Lacewings, Ladybirds, Predator, Spiders, Tri-trophic associationsAbstract
Artemisia species support diverse aphid communities and their natural enemies, yet information on their tri-trophic associations in India has remained fragmented. This review compiles published records of aphidophagous predators associated with aphids infesting Artemisia spp. in India. A total of 51 predator species belonging to 13 families and seven arthropod orders were recorded preying on 19 aphid species infesting three Artemisia taxa, resulting in 110 tri-trophic associations (TTAs) across nine states and union territories. Coleoptera, represented exclusively by 26 coccinellid species, dominated the predator complex, contributing 73 TTAs (64.6%), followed by Diptera with 11 species and 22 TTAs, whereas the remaining orders were comparatively less diverse and geographically restricted. Oenopia sauzeti exhibited the broadest prey range, followed by Propylea luteopustulata, Oenopia billieti, Hippodamia variegata, Adalia tetraspilota, Betasyrphus serarius, and Chrysoperla zastrowi sillemi. Among the aphids, Capitophorus formosartemisiae, Macrosiphoniella pseudoartemisiae, and Aphis kurosawai supported the richest predator assemblages. Artemisia vulgaris was the principal host, harbouring 13 aphid species, 39 predator species, and 71 TTAs across seven States/UTs. Overall, the review demonstrates the predominance of coccinellid beetles in Artemisia-associated aphid food webs and identifies key generalist predators with potential for conservation biological control. The compiled checklist provides a baseline for future ecological studies and integrated pest management of aphids infesting Artemisia in India.
References
Abiri R, Silva ALM, de Mesquita LSS, de Mesquita JWC, Atabaki N, de Almeida Jr EB, et al. Towards a better understanding of Artemisia vulgaris: Botany, phytochemistry, pharmacological and biotechnological potential. Food Res Int. 2018;109:403-415. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodres.2018.03.072
Agarwala BK. Parasites and predator of rose infesting aphids (Homoptera: Aphididae) in India. Entomon. 1983;8:35-39.
Agarwala BK, Raychaudhuri D, Raychaudhuri DN. Parasites and predators of aphids in Sikkim and Manipur (northeast India). III. Entomon. 1980;5:39-42.
Bhagat RC, Lone MA. New records and host range of predators of aphids (Aphididae: Homoptera) in Kashmir Valley, India. Sci Cult. 1984;50:364-366.
Bisht RS, Rana DS, Mishra PN. Bio-ecology of predators and parasitoids of aphids in Garhwal Hills. J Aphidol. 2001;15:123-128.
Bora KS, Sharma A. The genus Artemisia: a comprehensive review. Pharm Biol. 2011;49(1):101-109. https://doi.org/10.3109/13880209.2010.497815
Burgio G, Dindo ML, Pape T, Whitmore D, Sommaggio D. Diptera as predators in biological control: applications and future perspectives. BioControl. 2025;70:1-17. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10526-024-10281-2
Chakrabarti S, Ghosh D, Debnath N. Hymenopteran parasitoids of aphidophagous dipterans in western Himalaya, India. J Aphidol. 1990;4:1-5.
Chakrabarti S, Debnath N, Ghosh D. Bioecology of Harmonia eucharis (Mulsant) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), an aphidophagous predator in western Himalayas. Entomon. 1995;20(3-4):191-196.
Chakrabarti S, Sarkar S, Debnath M. Diversity, bioecology and biosystematics of aphidophagous predators of eastern Himalaya and northeast India. In: Hartmann M, Weipert J, editors. Biodiversität und Naturausstattung im Himalaya. Vol. 4. Naturkundemuseum Erfurt; 2012. p. 129-147.
Das SK, Raychaudhuri D. Parasitoids and predators of aphids (Homoptera: Aphididae) from India. VI. New records of seven arachnids, one dipteran and one neuropteran predator from Himachal Pradesh, India. Entomon. 1983;8(1):27-34.
Debnath M. Aphidophagous predator diversity in Kalimpong district, India. Int J Exp Res Rev. 2020;22:30-36. https://doi.org/10.52756/ijerr.2020.v22.004
Debnath N. Studies on some aphidophagous insects in northwest and western Himalayas. PhD thesis. University of Kalyani, 1991. http://hdl.handle.net/10603/211339
Debnath N, Ghosh D, Chakrabarti S. Predators and parasites of aphids from northwest and western Himalaya. II. Records of eight aphidophagous neuropterans (Insecta) from India. Entomon. 1988;13:137-139.
Devi SS. Studies on taxonomy and biology of aphidophagous coccinellids (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) of Manipur and Nagaland. PhD thesis. Manipur University, Canchipur, Imphal, India, 1989. p. 263. http://hdl.handle.net/10603/150284
Dey SR. Seasonal occurrence and altitudinal distribution of Neuroptera (Insecta) in Uttarakhand, India. Beats Nat Sci. 2015;2(4):1-13.
Dixon AFG. Insect predator-prey dynamics: Ladybird beetles and biological control. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2000. p. 257.
Dogra S, Singh J, Koul B, Yadav D. Artemisia vestita: a folk medicine with hidden herbal fortune. Molecules. 2023;28(6):2788. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28062788
Erb M, Züst T, Robert CAM. Using plant chemistry to improve interactions between plants, herbivores and their natural enemies: challenges and opportunities. Curr Opin Biotechnol. 2021;70:262-265. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.copbio.2021.05.011
Farhan M, Pan J, Hussain H, Zhao J, Yang H, Ahmad I, et al. Aphid-resistant plant secondary metabolites: types, insecticidal mechanisms, and prospects for utilization. Plants (Basel). 2024;13(16):2332. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13162332
Gagic V, Tscharntke T, Dormann CF, Gruber B, Wilstermann A, Thies C. Food web structure and biocontrol in a four-trophic level system across a landscape complexity gradient. Proc R Soc B Biol Sci. 2011;278(1720):2946-2953. https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2010.2645
Ghongade DS, Sangha KS. Biological control potential of Chrysoperla zastrowi sillemi (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) against Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) on polyhouse-grown parthenocarpic cucumber in north-western India. Int J Pest Manag. 2025;71(4):585-595. https://doi.org/10.1080/09670874.2023.2266424
Ghosh D, Debnath N, Chakrabarti S. Predators and parasites of aphids (Homoptera: Aphididae) from northwest Himalaya: ten species of syrphids (Diptera: Syrphidae) from Garhwal range. Entomon. 1985;10:301-303.
Ghosh D, Debnath N, Chakrabarti S. Development of three species of Oenopia (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) predating on aphids of Garhwal Himalaya. Proc III Orient Ent Symp. 1986. p. 173-176.
Ghosh D, Debnath N, Chakrabarti S. Predators and parasites of aphids from northwest and western Himalaya. III. Twenty-five species of Coccinellidae (Coleoptera: Insecta) from Garhwal and Kumaon ranges. Rec Zool Surv India. 1991;88(2):177-188. https://doi.org/10.26515/rzsi/v88/i2/1991/161342
Gurr GM, Wratten SD, Landis DA, You M. Habitat management to suppress pest populations: progress and prospects. Annu Rev Entomol. 2017;62:91-109. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-ento-031616-035050
Hajra PK, Rao RR, Singh DK, Uniyal BP. Flora of India. Vol. 12. Asteraceae (Anthemideae–Heliantheae). Calcutta: Botanical Survey of India; 1995. p. 454.
Hodek I, Honěk A. Ecology of Coccinellidae. Dordrecht: Kluwer Academic Publishers; 1996. p. 480.
Hooker JD. The Flora of British India. Vol. 3. London: L. Reeve & Co.; 1882. p. 712.
Hussain M, Thakur RK, Khazir J, Ahmed S, Khan MI, Rahi P, et al. Traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and toxicology of the genus Artemisia L. (Asteraceae): a high-value medicinal plant. Curr Top Med Chem. 2024;24(4):301-342. https://doi.org/10.2174/1568026623666230914104141
Isman MB. Botanical insecticides, deterrents, and repellents in modern agriculture and an increasingly regulated world. Annu Rev Entomol. 2006;51:45-66. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.ento.51.110104.151146
Jiao B, Wei M, Niu G, Chen X, Liu Y, Huang G, et al. Global phylogeny and taxonomy of Artemisia. Nat Commun. 2025;16(1):8648. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-64039-0
Joshi S, Sangma RHC. Natural enemies associated with aphids and coccids from Sikkim, India. J Biol Control. 2015;29(1):3-7. https://doi.org/10.18311/jbc/2015/3231
Khan AA, Shah MA. Records of aphids and their natural enemies in agro-ecosystems with special reference to horticultural ecosystems of Kashmir. J Entomol Zool Stud. 2017;5(4):189-203.
Kumar B, Omkar. Prey-predator relationships in ladybird beetles and biological control of insect pests. J Appl Biosci. 2025;51(1):1-36. https://doi.org/10.61081/joab/51v1i101
Landis DA, Wratten SD, Gurr GM. Habitat management to conserve natural enemies of arthropod pests in agriculture. Annu Rev Entomol. 2000;45:175-201. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.ento.45.1.175
Losey JE, Obrycki JJ, Hoddle M, Harmon JP, Brown MW. Interactions among native and non-native predatory Coccinellidae influence biological control and biodiversity. Ann Entomol Soc Am. 2021;114(2):119-136. https://doi.org/10.1093/aesa/saaa047
Nyffeler M, Sunderland KD. Composition, abundance and pest control potential of spider communities in agroecosystems: a comparison of European and US studies. Agric Ecosyst Environ. 2003;95(2-3):579-612. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0167-8809(02)00181-0
Pellicer J, Hidalgo O, Garnatje T, Vallès J. Phylogenomics and morphological evolution of the mega-diverse genus Artemisia (Asteraceae: Anthemideae): implications for its circumscription and infrageneric taxonomy. Ann Bot. 2023;131(5):867-884. https://doi.org/10.1093/aob/mcad028
Pervez A, Omkar, Harsue MA. Coccinellids on crops: nature's gift for farmers. In: Chakravarthy AK, editor. Innovative Pest Management Approaches for the 21st Century. Singapore: Springer Nature; 2020. p. 429-460. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-0794-6_21
Phaloura SPS. Observations on the biology and larval chaetotaxy of Pania (Oenopia) luteopustulata (Mulsant) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae). J Entomol Zool Stud. 2016;4(5):537-543.
Poorani J. A review of the genus Oenopia Mulsant (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) of the Indian subcontinent, with description of a new species. Orient Insects. 2002;36(1):97-116. https://doi.org/10.1080/00305316.2002.10417328
Rao VP. Survey of natural enemies of aphids in India. Final technical report. Commonwealth Institute of Biological Control, Indian Station, U.S. PL 480 Project, 1969. p. 93.
Rather MA, Dar BA, Sofi SN, Bhat BA, Qurishi MA. Foeniculum vulgare: a comprehensive review of its traditional use, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and safety. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2016;2016:8426749. https://doi.org/10.1155/2016/8426749
Raychaudhuri DN, Dutta S, Agarwala BK, Raychaudhuri D, Raha SK. Some parasites and predators of aphids from northeast India and Bhutan. Entomon. 1978;3:91-94.
Raychaudhuri DN, Dutta S, Agarwala BK, Raha SK, Raychaudhuri D. Some parasites and predators of aphids in northeastern India and Bhutan. II. Entomon. 1979;4:163-166.
Rotheray GE, Gilbert F. The Natural History of Hoverflies. Tresaith, Ceredigion, Wales: Forrest Text; 2011. p. 334.
Singh R. Checklist of aphidophagous spiders (Arachnida: Araneae) in India. Serket. 2024;20(3):288-310.
Singh R. A catalogue of tri-trophic associations of aphidophagous species of the ladybird beetle Oenopia Mulsant, 1850 (Coccinellinae: Coccinellidae: Coleoptera) in different states and union territories of India. J Fauna Biodivers. 2025;2(2):12-44. https://doi.org/10.70206/jfb.v2i2.15665
Singh R. Tri-trophic relationships of aphidophagous species of the ladybird beetle Propylea Mulsant, 1846 (Coccinellinae: Coccinellidae: Coleoptera) in different states and union territories of India. Munis Ent Zool. 2025;20(Suppl):3873-3891.
Singh R. An updated checklist of tri-trophic associations of the common hover fly Ischiodon scutellaris (Fabricius, 1805) (Syrphidae: Diptera: Insecta) in India. Arthropods. 2025;14(4):225-245.
Singh R. A catalogue of tri-trophic associations of aphidophagous species of the genus Hippodamia (Coccinellidae: Coleoptera) in India. Munis Ent Zool. 2026;21(1):117-132.
Singh R, Ahmad ME. Tritrophic associations of aphidophagous Betasyrphus and Episyrphus species (Syrphinae: Syrphidae: Diptera) in different states and union territories of India. Munis Ent Zool. 2025;20(Suppl):3451-3474.
Singh R, Shukla A. An updated checklist of tri-trophic associations of aphidophagous arthropods in West Bengal, India. Arthropods. 2026;15(2):90-135.
Singh R, Singh G. Aphids and their biocontrol. In: Omkar, editor. Ecofriendly Pest Management for Food Security. Academic Press; 2016. p. 63-108. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-803265-7.00003-8
Singh R, Singh G. Reproductive strategies in aphids. In: Omkar, Mishra G, editors. Reproductive Strategies in Insects. Taylor & Francis Group, LLC; 2022. p. 259-282. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003043195-13
Singh R, Srivastav AK. Checklist of aphidophagous predatory bugs (Heteroptera: Hemiptera: Insecta) in India. Int J Biol Environ Investig. 2024;4(2):1-11. https://doi.org/10.33745/ijbei.2024.v04i02.001
Singh R, Tiwari AK, Tiwari KM. Checklist of aphidophagous Neuroptera (Insecta: Arthropoda) in India. Int J Biol Innov. 2024;6(2):99-127. https://doi.org/10.46505/IJBI.2024.6204
Singh BB, Sharma A, Singh R. An updated checklist of tri-trophic associations of aphidophagous species of the genera Adalia, Aiolocaria, Alloneda, Anegleis, Callicaria and Calvia of the tribe Coccinellini (Coccinellinae: Coccinellidae: Coleoptera) in India. Uttar Pradesh J Zool. 2025;46(15):64-82. https://doi.org/10.56557/upjoz/2025/v46i155149
Sloggett JJ. Aphidophagous ladybirds (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) and climate change: a review. Insect Conserv Divers. 2021;14:709-722. https://doi.org/10.1111/icad.12527
Starý P. Biology of Aphid Parasites (Hymenoptera: Aphidiidae) with Respect to Integrated Control. The Hague: Dr. W. Junk B.V.; 1970. p. 643.
Starý P. Natural enemies: Aphidiidae. In: Minks AK, Harrewijn P, editors. Aphids: Their Biology, Natural Enemies and Control. Vol. 2B. New York: Elsevier; 1988. p. 171-184.
Walter DE, Proctor HC. Mites: Ecology, Evolution and Behaviour: Life at a Microscale. 2nd ed. Dordrecht: Springer; 2013. p. 494. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-7164-2.
