Paper Title
Diversity Of Insect Natural Enemies In Apple Associated With Woolly Aphid, Eriosoma Lanigerum (Hemiptera: Aphididae) In Thimphu Valley, Bhutan

Abstract
The objectives of the study are to explore potential natural enemies associated with woolly aphid Eriosoma lanigerum (Hemiptera:Aphidoidea) for consideration of future biological control measures. A field survey of the insect natural enemies was conducted in two apple orchards from April-October 2018 in Thimphu valley, Bhutan. The heavily infested orchards with woolly aphid colonies were evaluated on terminal shoots during the apple season. The orchards are located between; Hongtsho-2 (N 27° 29ꞌ 0.4416") (E 89° 43ꞌ 46.6788") and Kausumche-3 (N 27° 19ꞌ 0.0876") (E 89° 33ꞌ 24.0876"). Aphid colonies were monitored fortnightly and parasitoid and natural enemies are enumerated. Adult predators, parasitized aphid, black mummies and larvae were reared and identified to species. The study revealed seven species of insect natural enemies including one parasitic insects, Aphelinus mali (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae); and six predaceous insects, including coccinellids, Coccinella transversoguttata, Harmonia sedecimnotata and Harmonia dimidiata (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae); syrphids, Syrphus opinator and Heringia calcarata (Diptera: Syrphidae); and a green lacewings, Chrysoperla sp. (carnea group) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae). These species should be investigated further as they may be useful in the augmentative and conservative biological control of E. lanigerum in apple orchards. Keywords - Predators, Conservation, Parasitized aphid, Mummies, Chemicals.