Performance of Syrphid Fly, Episyrphus balteatus (De Geer) Feeding on Cowpea Aphid, Aphis craccivora Koch.

An experiment was conducted in Insectary, S.V. Agricultural College, ANGRAU, Tirupati, A.P. on ‘Performance of syrphid fly Episyrphus balteatus (De Geer) feeding on Cowpea aphid, Aphis craccivora Koch’ withrespect to its biology and feeding potential during 2014–15 under laboratory conditions (at 28±2°C temp and 75–80 per cent RH). The total larval period lasted for 13.41±1.59 days with gross consumption of 523.33±25.374 aphids. Highest numbers of aphids were consumed during the 3^rd instar of the predator (347.00±27.78 aphids). The pupal period lasted for about 7.12±0.70 days whereas the adult longevity wasabout 12.42±1.74 days feeding on diluted honey solution.