Entomological survey of aphids natural enemies on two vegetable crops (Vicia faba and Solanum tuberosum) in the mountainous region of Kabylie (Iferhounène, Algeria)

A survey of aphid natural enemies was carried out on two crops fava bean (Vicia faba) and potato (Solanum tuberosum) in the Iferhounène region (Tizi Ouzou, Algeria) between November 2022 and March 2023. A total of 10 parasitoid species and 4 aphid predator species were recorded. In fava bean fields, Coccinella algerica was the most abundant predator (33.89%), followed by the parasitoids Binodoxys angelicae (♀, 15.25%) and Aphidius matricariae (♀, 11.86%), whereas syrphid flies such as Episyrphus balteatus were scarce (1.69%). In potato crops, Aphidius ervi (♂) was the dominant parasitoid (20%), followed by Praon volucre (♂, 15%), Binodoxys angelicae (♀, 12.5%), and Eupeodes corollae (2.5%). This study represents one of the first contributions to the characterization of entomophagous natural enemies in mountain vegetable crops of Kabylie (Algeria). The collected data enhance our understanding of entomological interactions in these agroecosystems, and the observed diversity, particularly among Coccinellidae and parasitoid Hymenoptera, highlights the promising potential for developing locally adapted biological control strategies.

 

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