Contemporary Insights into Wheat Aphid Biology, Ecological Drivers and Integrated Pest Management in Indian Wheat Production

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) – is one of the most important cereal crops at the global level with its productivity greatly affected by insect pests among which aphids (Hemiptera: Aphididae) are the most harmful sap-suckers. Wheat aphids cause direct damage through the removal of phloem sap and indirect damage through the transmission of viral diseases, in particular Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus (BYDV). In India and other wheat growing regions, aphids have evolved from sporadic to regular and economically important pests as a result of climate change, intensified cropping systems and the application of nitrogenous fertilizers. The aphid complex in wheat is mainly comprised of Sitobion avenae, Sitobion miscanthi, Rhopalosiphumpadi and Rhopalosiphum maidis that differ in their ecology, feeding behaviour and potential for damage. This review provides an overview of updated information on history, host range taxonomy life cycle seasonal dynamics economic threshold levels symptomology and yield losses caused by wheat aphids. Emphasis is given to IPM strategies including cultural mechanical biological botanical microbial and chemical control measures. Upcoming challenges like insecticide resistance climate variability and declining natural enemy populations are brought to notice. Review throws light on future research needs for the development of sustainable climate resilient management practices against wheat aphids in wheat ecosystems.