Record of mealy plum aphid, Hyalopterus pruni (Geoffroy) (Aphididae: Hemiptera) on peach from Punjab, India

Surveys were conducted from 2015 to 2019 in the peach growing regions of Punjab, India with the objective of recording different insect-pests infesting peach trees. During these surveys, peach trees were found to be infested with a species of mealy plum aphid, Hyalopterus pruni (Geoffroy, 1762) (Sternorrhyncha: Aphididae), for the first time in Punjab, at Fruit Research Farm of Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana (India) during the months of March-April, 2015. This pest causes direct damage by sap sucking and indirect damage by honeydew excretion on leaf and fruit surface. Highest mean population per 25 leaves/tree was observed during 4^th week of March (393.5 aphids) followed by 3^rd week of March (296.7 aphids). Severe incidence of sooty mold was observed on the leaves as well as fruits during last week of March.