Optimization of Biological Aphid Control in Vegetable Crops Using Relay Plants in Mayotte

This document outlines a stage project focused on optimizing biological control of aphids in vegetable crops in Mayotte through the use of companion plants that harbor aphids and natural enemies. It examines aphid species on grasses such as *Rhopalosiphum maidi*, their natural predators (ladybugs, hoverflies, true bugs, parasitoids), and evaluates the feasibility of using these plants as early-season reservoirs to support biological control. The study is part of the Innoveg project’s "Plant Health" component, aiming to identify optimal grass species for use as companion plants in real-world farming and experimental settings.