Functional Response of Four Syrphid Predators Associated with Mealy Cabbage Aphid, Brevicoryne brassicae L. on Cruciferous Vegetables
Year: 2017
Type: article
Abstract: Functional response of the syrphids Episyrphus balteatus deGeer, Eristalis interruptus (Poda), Eristalis cerealis F. and Sphaerophoria scripta (L.), to Brevicoryne brassicae L. was studied under laboratory conditions to determine their relative preying potential. The 2nd and 3rd instar larvae of the predators were exposed to increasing densities of similar sized B. brassicae nymphs in petri dishes. Third instar of Ep. balteatus was found to possess highest consumption (52.8 aphids) closely followed by Er. Cerealis (50.7 aphids), Er. Interruptus (42.10 aphids) and S. scripta (38.7 aphids), All predators and preying stages exhibited type II functional response. The coefficients of attack rate and handling time were found to show significant variation between species and preying stages. The results suggested that third instar larva of Episyrphus balteatus is the efficient predator to regulate B. brassicae colonies.
Author: Akhtar Ali Khan
Language: English
Subfield: Insect Science
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W2736830759