Efficiency of Episyrphus balteatus larvae against Myzus persicae An: In-depth laboratory analysis

The syrphid flies commonly known as flowering flies or morning flies, are ubiquitous in gardens and crop fields where flowers are present in abundance.Among them, aphid-flies play a crucial role as biological control agents, while their adult counterparts serve as good pollinators.This research aimed to identify aphid-flies species that could be utilized for the good biological control of pests affecting the different agricultural fields in the Larkana region.Larkana, acknowledged as a hub of agricultural in upper Sindh, where a diverse range of vegetables, fruits and flowering plants are cultivated.These include lemon, mango, banana, jojoba, sugarcane, radish, brassica, wheat, rice, okra, chilli, cabbage, tomato & onion etc.During January-March 2024, the eggs, larvae, pupa and adult of the syrphid flies (E.balteatus) and green peach aphids M. persicae were collected from mustard crops in Larkana region Sindh, Pakistan.These specimens were then brought to the advance entomological research laboratory at the Zoology Department, University of Sindh, Jamshoro, for observation of larval feeding behaviour under controlled laboratory conditions with the help of Growth Chamber.The larval feeding rate of E. balteatus on M. persicae was assessed on stem, leaves and inflorescences.Give the severity of M. persicae infestation in the fields where aphid colonies thrived.The larval developmental stage lasted approximately about 110.25 days across stem leaves and inflorescences 1 st to 3 rd instars when feeding on M. persicae aphis.Among the instars, 3 rd instar larvae of E. balteatus consumed the highest number of aphids about (69.59%), while the minimum number (9.650.44)was consumed by 1 st instar larvae.Each larva of E. balteatus consumed an average of 450.60 aphids during their developmental stages 1 st to 3 rd instars).These findings underscore the significant potential of E. balteatus larvae as effective biological agents against the green aphids M. persicae.Integrating them into management strategies can be highly beneficial not only for controlling aphids but also for managing the aphid species effectively.