Studies on Biology, Feeding Potential of Indigenous Predatory Syrphid Fly and Their Mass Producaiton

Abstract

The present investigation entitled " Studies on biology, feeding potential of indigenous predatory Syrphid fly and their mass production" was carried out during Jun~. 2011 to May, 2012 at CRC and Bio-control laboratory, S.V.P. University of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut. Eighteen of predatory Syrphid flies were recorded during survey period, out of them 12 species with three families were identified i.e. E. balteatus (De Geer), /. scutellaris (Linnaeus), Erista/is taphicus (Wiedemann), Paragus sp, Eristalis taeniops, Melanostoma sp, Anthomyidae, Muscidae, Eupeodes confrater (Wiedemann), Eristalis tenax (Linnaeus), Syrphus sp. Eristalis obscurirarsis de Meijere, Eristalis sp, Bombylidae, Allobaccha sp. on the other hand three species were unidentified. The E. balteatus ranked first (22.73%) in position by registering maximum 4147 number of syrphid fly in a year and it was recorded as dominant species. It was ,.., followed by/. scutellaris (7.78%) and Eristalis taphicus (7.72%). While, least population Syrphus sp (2.12%), followed by Eristalis tenax (3.06%) and Eupeodes confrater (3.58%) were noticed in Meerut region. It was observed that the E. balteatus completed their life cycle in 26-32 days. The total larval period was ranged 13-16 days, pre-pupal and pupal period was completed in 1.00±0.00, (ranged 1 day) and 10.00±0.58 days (ranged 9-11days) respectively. The longevity of adult male was 18.00±0.88 (ranged 17-19 days) and 24.33±0.88 (ranged 23- 26 days) in females. While Eupeodes confrater completed their life cycle in 23-29 days. The total larval period was ranged 12-15 days, pre-pupal and pupal period was completed in 1.33±0.33, (ranged 1-2 days) and 6.33±0.33 days (ranged 6-7 days), respectively. Male and female syrphid fly longevity from 12-15 and 16-20 days with a mean survival period of 13.67±0.88 and 18.00±1.16 days, respectively. and Syrphus sp. completed their life cycle in 26-30 days. The total larval period was ranged 11-14 days, pre-pupal and pupal period was completed in 1.67±0.58, (ranged 1-2 day) and 11 .00±0.33 days (ranged 10-12 days) respectively. The longevity of adult male was 11.00±0.33 (ranged 10-12 days) ancl15.00±0.58 (ranged 14-16 days) in females. The E. balteatus consumed 444.68±2.40 (ranged 440-448 aphids), 395.33±4.41 (ranged 387-402 aphids) and 404.33±2.60 (ranged 400-409 aphids) L. erysimis, M. sanborni and A. craccivora by larva during whole life period, respectively. The Eupeodes confrater consumed 422.68±0.88 (ranged 420-425 aphids), 411.68±2.33 (ranged 407- 414 aphids) and 415.33±3.48 (ranged 409-421 aphids) L. ·erysimis, M. sanborni and A. craccivora by larva during whole life period and The Syrphus sp. consumed 429.33±3.53 (ranged 424-436 aphids), 402.68±1.20 (ranged 400-406 aphids) and '409.68±2.19 (ranged 407-414 aphids). L. erysimis, M. sanborni and A. craccivora by larva during whole life period, respectively. Mustard aphid, L. erysimis, Chrysanthemum aphid, M. sanborni were found to be the most suitable host for the mass production of predatory Syrphid flies in laboratory condition.