Population dynamics of Myzus persicae (Sulzer) and its associated natural enemies in spring potato crop, Peshawar-Pakistan.

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the population dynamics of Myzus persicae (Sulzer) and its associated natural enemies, Coccinella septempunctata (L); Episyrphus balteatus (de Geer); Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens); and Aphidius matricariae Haliday and percent parasitism of the aphid in the spring potato crop at Peshawar, during 2006. The host plant was cultivar Kuroda of potato. The results showed that M. persicae was consistently at different densities in different times on potato throughout the growing season. The aphid was first recorded during the last week of February, 2006 with a mean density of 0.61 aphids / leaf. The number of aphids