Tuesday, 19 November 2002
D0306

This presentation is part of : Display Presentations, Subsection Ca. Biological Control

Attractiveness of various flowering plants to adult syrphid flies

George C Hamilton, James H. Lashomb, and Jianxin Zhang. Rutgers University, Department of Entomology, 93 Lipman Drive, New Brunswick, NJ

Published studies have shown that the size and shape of flower nectaries influences the types of hymenopteran natural enemies attracted to those flowers. In this study, we examined this phenomenon over a three year period to see if a similar effect could be found with syrphid flies. Annual and perennial flowering plants with different flower morphologies were sampled once a week between May and September in two. Results showed the presence of five syrphid species: Syritta pipiens, Eristalis tenax, Eristalis eoseristalis, Taxermus sp. and Allograpta sp. Differences found in their visitation to different flower species as it relates to flower type will be discussed.

Species 1: Diptera Syrphidae Syritta pipiens
Species 2: Diptera Syrphidae Eritalis tenax
Species 3: Diptera Syrphidae Eritalis eoseristalis
Keywords: annual plants, perrenial plants

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