Abstract:
Aphids are important pests of cultivated crops in Pakistan. They not only reduce the yield of crops but also serve as vectors of disease. There are about 92 species of aphids in Pakistan. Some of these are serious pests of crucifer crops, vegetables and fruit trees. In Pakistan, aphids have mostly been controlled by insecticidal applications. However, due to adverse effects of insecticides, total reliance on them can not be made. Alternative control strategy is Integrated Pest Management (IPM). In IPM the role of parasitoids and predators is very important. The parasitoids attacking various aphids amount to 30 belonging to 6 families. Similarly the apidivorous predators are 42. Pathogens have not been recorded. Thus a large complex of natural enemies exists in the aphid environment. The possibility of biological based IPM has been explored and discussed.