Oviposition preferences of aphidophagous hoverflies

Abstract

1. Oviposition preferences of two predatory hoverflies, Episyrphus balteatus and Syrphus ribesii (Diptera, Syrphidae), were studied in the laboratory. 2. There was broad agreement between the two species: two of the top three preferred prey for oviposition in both hoverflies were pea and rose aphids; nettle aphids were consistently the least preferred. 3. Discrimination decreased with age.