Department of Entomology and Apiculture, Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan - 173 230, Himachal Pradesh, India.
1Department of Forest Products, Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan - 173 230, H.P., India.
Four species of syrphid flies viz., Episyrphus balteatus de Geer, Eupeodus frequens Matsmura, Metasyrphus corollae Fabricius and Betarysphus serarius (Wiedemann) have been recorded as predators of Solanum aphid, Aphis fabae Scopoli. E. balteatus was most effective predator of Aphis fabae followed by M. corollae, E. frequens and B. serarius. The larval period was highest in E. frequens i.e. 13.8 days while it was 10.25, 7.4 and 6.75 days, for B. serarius, M. corollae and E. balteatus, respectively. The duration as well as feeding efficiency of third larval instar was more than that of other instars.
