Impact of the Parasitoids on the Suppression of the Green Peach Aphid, Myzus persicae (Suiz.) on Chillies and Sweet Pepper in India

The green peach aphid Myzus persicae (Sulz.) has become a major pest of chillies and sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) in India. It is becoming increasingly difficult to control the aphid with insecticides. The investigations on the impact of the natural enemies revealed that the parasitoid Aphidius sp. appeared in large numbers causing upto 93.65% parasitism on M.persicae infesting chillies. In sweet pepper fields, both Aphelinus sp. and Aphidius sp. were recorded on M. persicae but the aphelinid was more abundant than the aphidiid. The rate of parasitism by Aphelillus sp. alone went upto 96.80% in April '92 in sweet pepper fields. The aphid population was effectively suppressed on chillies and sweet pepper by the parasitoids.