Seasonal Abundance of Aphids and Their Natural Enemies on Lucerne

Studies on seasonal abundance of aphids and their natural enemies in relation to the climatic factors were undertaken on lucerne crop during 2002-03. Average number of lucerne aphids and predators per tiller showed increasing trend from September 2002 with its maximum level at the middle of January 2003. Thereafter, decreasing trend was noticed. The aphid population was negatively correlated with maximum and minimum temperature and positively correlated with lady bird beetles andChrysopa larval population. The abundance of lady bird beetles and Chrysopa larval population was found at its maximum level during January, 2003, then after it started declining.