Population Dynamics of Various Predators Associated with Mustard Aphid, Lipaphis erysimi (Kalt.)

Studies on the population dynamics of various predators associated with mustard aphid, Lipophis erysimi (Kalt.) revealed that three species of coccinellids (Coccinella septempunctata L., Hippodamia variegata (Coeze) and Menochilus sexmaculata Fab.), two species of green lace wing (Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens) and Anisochrysa boninensis Ckomota) and one species each of syrphid (Episyrphus balteatus Degear) and chamaemyid (Leucopis (Leucipis) sp.) were found associated with the colonies of this pest. C. septempunctata population was dominant among coccinellids. A. boninensis and E. balteatus populations were almost negligible. Population of Leucopis sp. larvae was high at peak aphid incidence, thereby rendering it to be the most promising predator of L. erysimi.