Annotated Checklist of Tri-Trophic Associations of Arthropod Predators of Aphids (Hemiptera: Aphididae) in Chhattisgarh, India
Krishna Manohar Tiwari
Department of Zoology, K.S. Saket P.G. College, Ayodhya (U.P.), India.
Rajendra Singh
*
Department of Zoology, D.D.U. Gorakhpur University, Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Tri-trophic interactions among host plants, aphids, and their natural enemies constitute a fundamental component of agroecosystem functioning, yet such associations have remained poorly documented in many regions of India. In Chhattisgarh, no evidence of aphid–predator–plant interactions were available prior to 2013, highlighting a historical gap in systematic ecological investigations. The present review synthesizes available literature from 2014 to 2025 to provide a comprehensive account of aphidophagous arthropods and their tri-trophic associations in the state. Early studies primarily documented coccinellid, syrphid, and chrysopid predators in brassica-based cropping systems, while subsequent research expanded the scope to include spiders and a wider range of aphid–host plant systems. A total of 43 tri-trophic associations involving 20 predator species across four arthropod orders (Araneae, Coleoptera, Diptera, and Neuroptera) and five families were compiled. Coleoptera, particularly the family Coccinellidae, emerged as the dominant group, contributing the highest species richness and number of interactions. Among predators, Cheilomenes sexmaculata was the most polyphagous and widely distributed species, followed by Coccinella septempunctata and Coccinella transversalis. Seven aphid species were recorded, with Aphis gossypii being the most prevalent and broadly associated across multiple host plants. The documented host plants comprised economically important crops, notably brassicas, maize, safflower, and solanaceous and malvaceous vegetables, with brassica crops supporting the highest number of interactions. Spatial analysis revealed a highly uneven distribution of records, restricted to only five districts, with a strong concentration in Raipur, indicating significant sampling bias. The limited geographic coverage is attributed to uneven research effort, the complexity of tri-trophic studies, and a predominant focus on agriculturally important systems. This review underscores the progressive expansion of knowledge on aphidophagous diversity in Chhattisgarh while highlighting substantial gaps in spatial and ecological coverage. It emphasizes the need for systematic, region-wide surveys to better understand the true distribution and ecological significance of tri-trophic interactions in the state.
Keywords: Aphids, predators, host plants, biological control, biodiversity, conservation, checklist