Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata (1998) 87, 245-254

Holger Bargen, Kathrin Saudhof and Hans-Michael Poehling (1998)
Prey finding by larvae and adult females of Episyrphus balteatus
Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata 87 (3), 245-254
Abstract: The prey-location behaviour of larvae of Episyrphus balteatus DeG. (Dipt.: Syrphidae) was investigated in two different experimental set-ups. First instar larvae exhibited directed search over short distances, guided by olfactory cues from aphids, but not from honeydew. However, second and third instars did not respond to aphid-plant-complex odours in a 4-arm-olfactometer. Aphid extracts, honeydew and sucrose were found to be feeding stimulants for the larvae. The oviposition behaviour of female syrphids was investigated in a series of two-choice experiments: females were able to evaluate aphid numbers and adjust oviposition rates accordingly, with higher prey numbers eliciting increased oviposition, even when the aphids were removed at the start of the experiment. The presence of conspecific syrphid larvae did not inhibit oviposition when the females were deprived of suitable oviposition sides before the experiments were conducted.
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Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Hans-Michael Poehling

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
general biology - morphology - evolution

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Acyrthosiphon pisum
	Metopolophium dirhodum
Episyrphus balteatus (predator)	Acyrthosiphon pisum
Episyrphus balteatus (predator)	Metopolophium dirhodum