Effect of host plants on the feeding potential of Episyrphus balteatus (De Geer) preying on two different aphid species

Abstract

In the study, effect of three host plants (Cajanus cajan (L.), Lablab purpureus (L.) and Vicia faba L.) on the feeding potential of syrphid fly Episyrphus balteatus (De Geer) on Aphis craccivora Koch. were studied under laboratory condition. It was observed that feeding potential was highly influenced by host plants. Maximum consumption of aphid by a single larva of E. balteatus was observed on V. faba (261±6.58 aphids) followed by C. cajan (244.2±8.38 aphids). Minimum consumption (222.2±5.97 aphids) was recorded on                         L. purpureus. The feeding potential of E. balteatus was also observed on different aphid on     C. cajan. The maximum larval consumption (558.8±11.95 aphids) was recorded on A. gossypii as compared to A. craccivora on C. cajan.