Abstract
In the syrphid hoverflyEpisyrphus balteatus (de Geer), females in search of oviposition sites are assessing the qualitative and quantitative value of aphid colonies for securing the successful development of their offspring. They select small, young and “promising” aphid colonies consisting of nymphs and/or fundatrices as their oviposition sites, and neglect large, older ones including winged adults. Such “buy-futures” tactics will benefit the offspring in finding suitable and sufficient food.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bombosch, S. 1962 Untersuchung über die Auslösung der Eiablage beiSyrphus corollae Fabr. (Dipt. Syrphidae).Z. angew. Ent. 50: 81–88.
Bombosch, S. 1963 Untersuchungen zur Vermehrung vonAphis fabae Scop. in Samenrübenbeständen unter besonderer Berücksichtigung der Schwebfliegen (Diptera, Syrphidae).Z. angew. Ent. 52: 105–141.
Chandler, A. E. F. 1965 Some aspects of host plant selection in aphidophagous Syrphidae. In: I. Hodek (ed.)Ecol. aphidoph, Insects, Proc. Symp. Prague. pp. 113–115. Academia Publ. House Czechoslovak Acad. Sci., Prague.
Chandler, A. E. F. 1968a Some host-plant factors affecting oviposition by aphidophagous Syrphdae (Diptera).Ann. appl. Biol. 61: 415–423.
Chandler, A. E. F. 1968b The relationship between aphid infestations and oviposition by aphidophagous Syrphidae (Diptera).Ann. appl. Biol. 61: 425–434.
Chandler, A. E. F. 1968c Some factors influencing the occurrence and site of oviposition by aphidophagous Syrphidae (Diptera).Ann. appl. Biol. 61: 435–446.
Dixon, T. J. 1959 Studies on oviposition behaviour of Syrphidae (Diptera).Trans. R. Ent. Soc. Lond. III: 57–80.
Furuta, K. & N. Sakamoto 1984 Seasonal fluctuation of the population density of the maple aphid (Periphyllus californiensis Shinji; Hom., Aphididae).Bull. Tokyo Univ. For. 73: 97–113.
Kan, E. & M. Sasakawa 1986 Assessment of the maple aphid colony by the hover fly,Episyrphus balteatus (de Geer) (Diptera: Syrphidae) I.J. Ethol. 4: 121–127.
Lyon, J. P. 1965 Influence de quelques facteurs sur l'expression du potential de multiplication des syrphides aphidiphages.Ann. Epiphyties.16: 397–398.
Ninomiya, E. 1956 On the food-habits of some aphidophagous syrphid larvae (1).Õyõ-Kontyũ.12(4): 225–229. (In Japanese)
Ninomiya, E. 1957a On the number of aphids destroyed by syrphid larvae.Jpn. J. App. Ent. Zool. 1: 119–124 (In Japanese)
Ninomiya, E. 1957b On the food-habits of some aphidophagous syrphid larvae II.Jpn. J. App. Ent. Zool. 1: 186–192. (In Japanese)
Okuno, T. 1967 On the syrphid larvae attacking the aphids in Japan (Diptera).Mushi. 41: 123–141.
Okuno, T. 1972 The life of syrphid flies.Shokubutsubõeki.26(6): 231–236. (In Japanese)
Ono, Y. 1962 Population studies on the natural cotton aphid population and its natural enemies on the pumpkin plant.Sci. Rep. Miyagi Agric. Coll. 9: 27–34 (In Japanese)
Volk, S. 1964 Untersuchungen zur Eiablage vonSyrphus corollae Fabr. (Diptera: Syrphidae).Z. angew. Ent. 54: 365–386.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
About this article
Cite this article
Kan, E. Assessment of aphid colonies by hoverflies. I maple aphids andEpisyrphus balteatus (de Geer) (Diptera: Syrphidae). J. Ethol. 6, 39–48 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02348860
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02348860