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VOL. 10, ISSUE 8 (2025)
An updated checklist of tri-trophic associations of aphidophagous species of the genera Illeis Mulstant and Megalocaria Crotch (Coccinellidae: Coleoptera) in India
Authors
Rajendra Singh, Abhishek Kumar Gupta
Abstract
This study provides a comprehensive account of
the tri-trophic associations involving three species of the aphidophagous
species of the genus Illeis Mulstant (Illeis cincta (Fabricius), Illeis confusa Timberlake,
and Illeis indica Timberlake); and a single species of the genus Megalocaria
Crotch (Megalocaria dilatata (Fabricius) in India. Among them, Illeis
cincta is relatively more polyphagous, preying on 12 aphid species across
23 host plants, with 33 tri-trophic associations recorded in eight Indian
states. Illeis confusa and Illeis indica show limited and
region-specific aphidophagy, with 13 and 7 aphid-host plant associations
respectively. Megalocaria dilatata was
recorded to feed 26 species of aphids infesting 21 plant species with 37
tri-trophic associations across 11 states and union territories, mostly in
Manipur state. A comprehensive survey approach is necessary to catalogue these
aphidophagous ladybird predators in those unexplored states and union
territories because, in fact, no attempts have been made to document their
tritrophic interactions in those parts of India.
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Pages:19-24
How to cite this article:
Rajendra Singh, Abhishek Kumar Gupta "An updated checklist of tri-trophic associations of aphidophagous species of the genera <i>Illeis </i>Mulstant and<i> Megalocaria</i> Crotch<i> </i>(Coccinellidae: Coleoptera) in India". International Journal of Entomology Research, Vol 10, Issue 8, 2025, Pages 19-24
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