On a collection of aphids (Homoptera) from Kuti Valley, West Himalaya

Abstract: The Aphidini is one of the 2 tribes of the subfamily Aphidinae (Aphididae: Hemiptera) containing about 830 species/subspecies assigned to 33 genera. Out of these, only 9 genera and 70 species/subspecies were recorded from India infesting 940 plant species belonging to 138 families, out of which only 19 families are monocot. Indian Aphidini are recorded mostly on the plant family Asteraceae (102 plant species), followed by Fabaceae (96 plant species), Poaceae (92 plant species), Lamiaceae (46 plant species), Rosaceae (38 plant species), Solanaceae (34 plant species), Apocyanaceae (28 plant species), Rubiaceae (26 plant species), Malvaceae (25 plant species), Rutaceae (22 plant species), Cucurbitaceae (22 plant species), Polygonaceae (21 plant species), etc. Out of 70 described species of Aphidini from India, 14 species are monophagous; 40 species are oligophagous infesting 2 to 20 plant species; and 8 species are moderately polyphagous infesting 21 to 55 plant species while 8 species are highly polyphagous feeding on 55 upto 569 plant species. The present contribution provides updated checklist of Indian Aphidini with the valid scientific name of the aphids as well as their food plants.

Abstract: The Macrosiphini is one of the 2 tribes of the subfamily Aphidinae (Aphididae: Hemiptera) containing about 2166 species/subspecies assigned to 242 genera. Out of these, only 96 genera and 374 species are recorded from India infesting hundreds of plant species belonging to several families. The food plants of Indian Macrosiphini is catalogued alphabetically (aphid species-wise) in three parts. In this contribution, food plants of only 25 genera and 109 species of aphids belonging to the tribe Macrosiphini (Acutosiphon to Dysaphis) are catalogued. These aphids feeds on 400 plant species belonging to 79 families. Most suffered families are Asteraceae (81 species) followed by Rosaceae (35 species), Fabaceae (27 species), Brassicaceae (22 species), Lamiaceae (18 species) and Solanaceae (17 species). Among them, several species are crops of agricultural and horticultural importance. The update checklist of food plants of rest of Macrosiphini will be dealt in successive articles.

Abstract: Anocaudus, new genus, with Anocaudus taxus, new species and Acyrthosiphon (Metopolophium) spireae, new species are described. Alate males of Aphis nasturtii Kalt., Brevicoryne brassicae (Linn ), Dysaphis ghanii Stroyan and alate viviparae of Epipemphigus imaicus (Chol.) are recorded besides sexuales of two undetermined species.

Abstract: Characteristic features of the species of Macrosiphum Passerini occurring in India are redefined and a key for the determination of the species from apterous viviparous females is provided. The food plants of the species, their distribution In India, biometry and pigmentation of the parts of the body, previous records, biology and salient features of the 21 species so far recorded in India are given.

Abstract: The angiospermic family Fabaceae or Leguminosae is the second largest family in the world. Out of about 1200 species described, only 122 species were found to be attacked by one or other aphid (Insecta : Homoptera : Aphididae) species. On record, 73 aphid species colonise the legumes in India, among which Aphis craccivora is the dominating species and feeds on 83 species of legumes followed by Aphis gossypii (39 species) and Acyrthosiphon pisum (20 species). The higher number of aphid species (16 species) are found to colonise Cajanus cajan followed by Lablab purpureus ssp. purpureus (12 aphid species) and Vigna unguiculata ssp. cylindrica (8 aphid species).

Abstract: Keys are given for the determination of the families, subfamilies, genera, and the 119 species of aphids known from Australia. The keys are supplemented by 192 figures. The genera of Australian aphids are described in detail and a reference to a recent revision of the genus and to a detailed description of each species is given where possible. A summary of the known host plant range and geographical distribution of each species is given. A few references to recent economic literature are given for those species regarded as pests.