author(s)
Sheikh Khursheed, ZA Bhat, GH Rather, H Itoo, AR Malik and Bilal A Pandit

abstract
The microclimate under high density apple orchard ecosystems is different from traditional apple orchards. Hence the insect and mite pest incidence and their natural enemies may also be different. Therefore, the field experiments were carried out at three different locations at Ambri Apple Research Center, Pahnoo and two farmer’s fields at Mohandpora, and Tharen, Shopian Kashmir during 2018 and 2019. During the period of study, eleven insect pest species were found associated with apple at all three locations, which belong to four orders viz. Hemiptera (Aphis pomi, Eriosoma lanigerum, Anuraphis sp. Quadraspidiotus perniciosus and Halyomorpha hayla), Lepidoptera (Archips termias, Malacosoma indicum and Lyonetia clerkella) and Coleoptera (Scolytus nitidus, Adoretus simplex and Altica spp). In addition to insect pests, two mite species Panonychus ulmi and Tetranychus urticae were also found associated with apple. Among the pests, Aphis pomi, Quadraspidiotus perniciosus and Panonychus ulmi were very severe. In addition to pest, twenty one species of natural enemies were also recorded belong to six orders viz Coleoptera, Hymenoptera, Neuroptera, Diptera, Acari and Araneae. The population of Aphis pomi and Eriosoma lanigerum were significantly positively correlated to coccinillid beetles (r=+0.984** & r=+0.985**), syrphid flies (r=+0.882** & r=+0.882**) and spiders (r=+0.888** & r=+0.969**). There was significant positive correlation between Eriosoma lanigerum and its parasitoid Aphelinus mali (r=+0.973**). The population of Panonychus ulmi showed also a postive correlation with Amblyseius fallacies and Stethorus aptus (r=+0.505 & r=+0.463).