Tri-Trophic Associations of Aphidophagous Ladybirds of the Tribe Aspidimerini (Coccinellinae: Coccinellidae: Coleoptera) in India

A checklist of tri-trophic associations (triplets) involving aphidophagous species of a tribe Aspidimerini of Coccinellinae (Coccinellidae: Coleoptera) is prepared, highlighting their essential role in the natural regulation of aphid populations across various terrestrial ecosystems in the states and union territories of India, alongside the aphid prey species (Hemiptera: Aphididae) that infest different host plants. The tri-trophic associations (triplets) of 14 species (including 2 species identified up to genus) under 3 genera are aphidophagous, preying on 35 species of aphids infesting 70 species of plants, resulting in 133 tri-trophic associations across 16 states of India. Most of the tri-trophic associations were recorded in Manipur (31 triplets), followed by West Bengal (28 triplets), Kerala (26 triplets), Karnataka (21 triplets) and Uttar Pradesh (10 triplets). Among these ladybirds, Cryptogonus quadriguttatus (Weise) and Pseudaspidimerus trinotata (Thunberg) were observed to be highly polyphagous, preying on 16 and 15 species of aphids infesting 18 and 35 species of plants, respectively. Among the 35 species of aphid prey recorded, 11 species of the tribe Aspidimerini devour mostly Aphis gossypii Glover, while 6 species of them prey on Aphis aurantii Boyer de Fonsc., Aphis craccivora Koch and Aphis odinae (van der Goot). Most preferred food plants are Solanum tuberosum L. (potato, 15 triplets) followed by Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. (cowpea) and Ipomoea sp. (each 12 triplets), and Capsicum annuum L. (10 triplets) and less than 10 triplets in the rest of the 66 food plants. A comprehensive survey approach is necessary to catalogue these aphidophagous ladybird predators in those unexplored states and union territories, as no attempts have been made to document their tritrophic interactions in these parts of India. This checklist will serve as an important resource for taxonomists, researchers, academics, conservation managers, and policymakers to promote the effective utilisation of these natural enemies in biological or natural control methods for aphids.