Biology and feeding potential of Metasyrphus confrater (Wiedemann)-A syrphid predator of green apple aphid
Abstract
Field observations were made on the predators of green apple aphid Aphis pomi De Geer in apple nursery fields at Mashobra, Shimla district and Ner Chowk, Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh. These revealed three species of Syrphidae (Diptera) viz., Betasyrphus serarius (Wiedemann), Episyrphus balteatus De Geer, and Metasyrphus confrater (Wiedemann). The life history and feeding potential of the larvae of the latter were studied under laboratory conditions.
Keywords
Apple, Mashobra, Ner Chowk, nursery, Aphis pomi, predators, Syrphidae, Metasyrphus confrater, larvae, predations, feeding potential, life stages
