Diversity of predators and management of Aphis odinae (Van Der Goot) in Cashew Maruthadurai R. Crop Protection Section, ICAR-Central Coastal Agricultural Research Institute, Ela, Old Goa, Goa, 403402, Email: duraiento@gmail.com Abstract Field experiments were conducted to assess the diversity, abundance and role of aphidophagous predators in cashew during 2015 and 2016 at Goa. The aphid Aphis odinae (=Toxoptera odinae) (Van der Goot) is an occasional sporadic insect pest of cashew. The aphid was preyed upon by six species of predators, including three species of coccinellids, viz., Scymnus castaneus Sicard, Cheilomenes sexmaculata (F.) and Pseudaspidimerus flaviceps (Walker) and three species of syrphids, viz., Paragus serratus (F.), Dideopsis aegrota (F.) and Ischidon scutellaris (F.). Among these, S. castaneus (11.05 grubs/nut/leaf) was the most abundant followed by P. serratus (5.02 larvae/nut). Their populations followed an almost similar trend with that of the prey aphid with maximum populations being observed during 6th standard meteorological week. Significant positive correlation was observed between the aphid and the predators except for I. scutellaris. These predators were effective in managing the aphid. Top Keywords Cashew, Aphis odinae, predators, coccinellids, syrphids, abundance, seasonal incidence, correlation, coefficients, population dynamics. Top |