ARCHIVES
VOL. 11, ISSUE 4 (2026)
Diversity and distribution of predators and parasitoids associated with Capitophorus species (Hemiptera: Aphididae) in India: An updated checklist of tri-trophic associations
Authors
Rajendra Singh
Abstract
Capitophorus van der Goot, 1913 species are aphids associated with diverse herbaceous plants in India, but information on their natural enemies remains fragmented. This study presents an updated checklist of their predators and aphidiine parasitoids, emphasising their diversity, host associations, and distribution. A total of 25 predator species belonging to 10 families and six arthropod orders were recorded from six Capitophorus species infesting seven identified host plants, forming 36 tri-trophic associations (TTAs) across five States/Union Territories. Coccinellidae predominated (13 species; 63.9% of TTAs), with Oenopia sauzeti showing the widest host and geographical range. Capitophorus formosartemisiae supported the richest predator assemblage, while Artemisia vulgaris was the principal host plant. Uttarakhand accounted for nearly 70% of predator TTAs. The parasitoid complex comprised 16 aphidiine taxa in seven genera, associated with six Capitophorus species on 12 identified host plants, forming 33 TTAs across six States/Union Territories. Aphidius, particularly Aphidius matricariae, was the dominant genus, and parasitoid associations were concentrated on Artemisia, Carduus, and Polygonum. Compared with parasitoids, predators were more species-rich but utilised fewer host plants, whereas parasitoids exhibited broader host plant associations and a more even distribution among Capitophorus species. Both predator and parasitoid records were strongly concentrated in Himalayan regions, with numerous single-record associations, indicating considerable geographical and taxonomic knowledge gaps. This checklist provides the first comprehensive synthesis of predator- and parasitoid-mediated tri-trophic interactions of Capitophorus species in India and establishes a baseline for future ecological research, biodiversity assessments, and conservation biological control programmes.
Download
Pages:108-117
How to cite this article:
Rajendra Singh "Diversity and distribution of predators and parasitoids associated with Capitophorus species (Hemiptera: Aphididae) in India: An updated checklist of tri-trophic associations". International Journal of Entomology Research, Vol 11, Issue 4, 2026, Pages 108-117
Pdf, Certificate, Cover Page, Index Page, Editorial Page, Accept Letter
Please enter the email address corresponding to this article submission.

