Biosystematics of Aphids (Hemiptera: Aphidoidea) from Poonch Divisions of Azad Jammu and Kashmir-Pakistan

Abstract

This study was conducted during 2015-2016 to explore aphid fauna of Poonch division of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan. Aphids, as the phloem sap feeders and with many species being transmitter of viral diseases in the host plants, constitute a taxon of serious pests of all agroecosystems including wild plants the world over. Thanks to the ecological backlash of modern era identification of pest species has become fundamental step in the effective execution of pest management. Notwithstanding reasonably documented aphidoidea from rest of Pakistan, comprehensive faunal studies on aphids hitherto remained unattended in Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Two years’ exploratory survey in the Poonch division yielded a total of 69 species under 40 genera, representing 7 subfamilies, 9 tribes and 11 sub tribes of Aphididae infesting a wide array of host plants, including field crops, vegetables, fruits, ornamentals, medicinal, aromatic herbs, and wild trees, comprising 61 species under 56 genera and 36 families. Aphidinae having 57 species under 30 genera was the most species rich subfamily of the 7 studied subfamilies. The tribe Macrosiphini having 41 representative species under 25 genera was the most species rich tribe amongst 9 studied tribes, followed by Aphidini that carried 16 species under 5 genera. Lachniae had 4 species under 3 genera, Chaitophorinae and Calaphidinae each had 2 species under as such genera, Greenideinae had 2 species under 1 genus and 2 subgenera. Eriosomatinae and Hormaphidinae had 1 species each. The data is inclusive of 16 first, 19 second records in addition to 59 new locality records for Pakistan’s aphid fauna. Chaetosiphon (Pentatrichopus) fragaefolii (Cockerell), Chaetosiphon (Pentatrichopus) thomasi Hille Ris Lambers, Chaetosiphon (Pentatrichopus) tetrarhodum (Walker), Metopolophium montanum Hille Ris Lambers, Myzaphis turanica Nevsky) Hyperomyzus pallidus Hille Ris Lambers, 1935; Macrosiphum gei (Koch, 1855); Nasonovia ribisnigri (Mosley, 1841); Neomyzus circumflexus (Buckton, 1876); Pterocomma beulahense (Cockerell, 1904); Sitobion africanum (Hille Ris Lambers, 1954); Toxoptera citricidus (Kirkaldy, 1907); Uroleucon ambrosiae (Thomas, 1878); Uroleucon compositae (Theobald, 1915); Lachnus tatakaensis (Takahashi, 1937); Astegopteryx bambusae (Buckton, 1893) and Melaphis rhois (Fitch, 1866) constitute new records for the country. Aphis gossypii infesting as many as 31 host plants under 26 genera belonging to 16 families was the most polyphagous studied species. High species richness was found in surveyed sites located between 900 to less than 1800 meters above sea level. However, highest number, 54 species under 27 genera, were recorded from Rawalakot, followed by Hajira, 41 species under 25 genera, Abbaspur 34 species under 19 genera, Bagh 29 species under 14 genera and Khai Gala 32 species under 10 genera. Lowest number of species, 7 under 4 genera, were recorded from Toli Pir, the highest survey station. Taxonomic keys for studied subfamilies, tribes, subtribes, genera and species were constructed. Diagnostic characters, line diagrams, micrographs, morphometric data, altitudinal and temporal distribution, systematic checklist, distribution in study area of studied aphid species and catalogue of the sampled host plant species is provided herewith.