Population dynamics of aphid and coexisting predators in tomato agroecosystem


 Aphids generally attack vegetative plant parts, preferably leaves, and devitalize the by sucking cell sap. Thorough knowledge of pest-predator ecology their interaction is requisite to initiate timely pest management strategies. Therefore, we aimed study population dynamics aphids predators on tomato in Hisar, Haryana during Rabi, 2016-17 2017-18. We observed two dominant aphid species viz., Aphis gossypii Myzus persicae three aphidophagous predator groups coccinellids, spiders syrphid fly maggots agroecosystem. Aphid infestation started 9th standard meteorological week (SMW) attained a peak 12th SMW (22.65 per leaves plant). exhibited highly significant negative correlation with minimum temperature (r= -0.917**), maximum -0.895**) wind speed -0.809**). However, it was positively correlated morning relative humidity 0.933**) evening 0.856**). used Principal component analysis (PCA) reduce dimensions data variables were transformed into principal components (PC) explain nature extent relationships among different variables. PC1 PC2 capture 57.6 20.3% variability data, respectively. positive prey suggesting density-dependent response.