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Prey finding by larvae and adult females of Episyrphus balteatus
Author(s) -
Bargen Holger,
Saudhof Kathrin,
Poehling HansMichael
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
entomologia experimentalis et applicata
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.765
H-Index - 83
eISSN - 1570-7458
pISSN - 0013-8703
DOI - 10.1046/j.1570-7458.1998.00328.x
Subject(s) - biology , honeydew , aphid , instar , olfactometer , acyrthosiphon pisum , predation , larva , zoology , aphididae , functional response , botany , homoptera , pest analysis , predator , ecology , host (biology)
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.