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March 21, 2026Advances in Zoology and BotanyOpen Access

Prey Preference of Predatory Larvae of Episyrphus balteatus (Diptera: Syrphidae): A Function of Variable Prey-Host Plant Combination

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Authors

VRVidhya RawatRSRaina N. SamuelJSJoy Nivedita Samuel

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Overview

Examines prey preference in E. balteatus larvae, indicating the impact of prey species and host plants on foraging behavior.

Key Points

  • The aim is to explore how prey preference in E. balteatus larvae varies with different aphid-host plant combinations.
  • Four treatments of aphid-host plant combinations were tested.
  • Larvae were starved for 24 hours before preference trials.
  • Statistical analysis using a goodness of fit test evaluated preference and attraction to leaf cues.
  • E. balteatus larvae preferred Lipaphis erysimi on cabbage over other combinations.
  • Aphis nerii on milkweed was the least preferred due to cardenolide presence.
  • Larvae chose previously aphid-infested leaves 73.3% of the time, indicating attraction to residual chemicals.

Cite This Study

Rawat et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/69be36666e48c4981c6754cahttps://doi.org/10.13189/azb.2026.140101
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