The present checklist deals with the tri-trophic associations of 17 species of aphidophagous ladybird beetles (Coccinellini: Coccinelinae: Coccinellidae) belonging to six genera, viz. Adalia Mulsant, Aiolocaria Crotch, Alloneda Iablokoff-Khnzorian, Anegleis Iablokoff-Khnzorian, Callicaria Crotch and Calvia Crotch preying on 87 species of aphids infesting 121 species of plants with 271 tri-trophic associations (triplets) in 19 states/union territories of India. Most polyphagous species is Adalia tetraspilota preying on 57 species of aphids belonging to 45 genra infesting 80 plant species with 120 tri-trophic associations followed by Calvia punctata (preying on 30 species of aphids infesting 26 plant species with 30 tri-trophic associations), Anegleis cardoni (preying on 22 species of aphids infesting 43 plant species with 58 tri-trophic associations) and Alloneda dodecaspilota (preying on 10 species of aphids infesting 12 plant species with 17 tri-trophic associations). Most of the aphids belong to genera Aphis, Brevicoryne, Brachycaudus, Capitophorus, Eriosoma, Eutrichosiphum, Hyalopterus, Lipaphis, Macrosiphoniella, Macrosiphum, Melanaphis, Myzus, Rhopalosiphum, Sitobion, Taoia and Uroleucon infesting several fruit trees, cereals, pulses, oil seeds, vegetable and fodder crops. These aphidophagous ladybirds are mostly distributed in northwest and northeast states of India. Since no attempts have been made to document their tritrophic interactions in unexplored portions of India, a thorough survey method is required to catalogue these aphidophagous ladybird predators in those states and union territories. This checklist will be a significant tool for taxonomists, researchers, academics, conservation managers, and policymakers to ensure the effective use of these natural enemies in biological or natural control strategies for aphids.
Singh et al. (2025) studied this question.
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