Diversity of Predatory Complex of Lipaphis erysimi Kalt. on Certain Cruciferous Crops in Manipur, North-East India

An extensive survey on biodiversity and abundance of predators on cruciferous crops was assessed for a period of two consecutive years (2009–2010). The periodical survey revealed the occurence of 13 species of aphid predators belonging to 3 diverse groups viz., 7 syrphids, 5 coccinellids and 1 hemerobiid. The syrphid predators include Episyrphurs balteatus (De Geer), Ischiodon scutellaris (Fabr.), Paragus seratus (Fabr), Betasyrphus serarius (Weid), Sphaerophoria indiana (Bigot), Metasyrphus confrator (Weid.) and Sphaerophoria sps. The species recorded under Coccinellid predator include Coccinella septumpunctata (Linn), Cheilomenes sexmaculata (Fabr.), Coccinella transversalis (Fabr.), Coelophora saucia Mulsant and Micraphis discolor Fabr., while the species under Hemerobidii was Micromus timidus Hagen. The occurrence of such natural enemies showed variations in terms of density and species compostion at various stages of plant growth.