Biology of cheilomenes sexmaculata (F.), A predator of green apple aphid in Himachal Pradesh

Observations were made on young nursery plants and apple orchards to record the coccinellid predators of Aphis pomi De Geer on apple plants in Himachal Pradesh. Many species of lady bird beetles were found feeding on green apple aphid, Aphis pomi De Geer on the nursery plants in Mashobra locality of Shimla district and Ner Chowk locality of Mandi district. Of these coccinellids, Cheilomenes sexmaculata (F.) was found to be effective predator. The lifecycle of this predator was studied during May to August and feeding potential of its larvae and adults on green apple aphid evaluated.