Field Abundance and Performance of Hoverflies (Diptera: Syrphidae) on Soybean Aphid

Authors

James O. Eckberg, University of MinnesotaFollow
Julie A. Peterson, West Central Research & Extension Center, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Colin P. Borsh, Carleton College
Joe M. Kaser, University of MinnesotaFollow
Gregg A. Johnson, University of MinnesotaFollow
John C. Luhman, University of MinnesotaFollow
Donald L. Wyse, University of MinnesotaFollow
George E. Heimpel, University of MinnesotaFollow

Date of this Version

12-2015

Citation

Published in Annals of the Entomological Society of America 108:1 (2015), pp. 26–34; doi: 10.1093/aesa/sau009

Comments

Copyright © 2014 James O. Eckberg, Julie A. Peterson, Colin P. Borsh, Joe M. Kaser, Gregg A. Johnson, John C. Luhman, Donald L. Wyse, and George E. Heimpel. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Entomological Society of America. Used by permission.

Abstract

The management of the soybean aphid Aphis glycines Matsumara is a major challenge to soybean production in the north-central United States. The identification and characterization of the insect predator community has informed integrated pest management strategies by providing insight on predators that can suppress soybean aphid populations. Hoverflies (Diptera: Syrphidae) are known predators of A. glycines, but more information is needed on their diversity, abundance, and performance to evaluate their importance as biological control agents of A. glycines. In this study, syrphid abundance was evaluated across two growing seasons in four soybean fields in east-central Minnesota. Six methods were used to quantify syrphid abundance at the larval, pupal, and adult life stages; de­scribe species composition and richness for adults; and directly compare larval abundance to aphid abundance. The syrphid commu­nity comprised eight species, dominated by Toxomerus marginatus (Say) and Toxomerus geminatus (Say). Syrphid abundance was rela­tively low in soybean fields. Feeding trials were conducted to compare the performance of the most common syrphid (T. marginatus) on a diet of A. glycines with two native aphids, Aphis nerii Boyer de Fonscolombe and Aphis monardae Oestlund. Despite their low abun­dance in soybeans, T. marginatus larvae perform well on A. glycines, A. nerii, and A. monardae in laboratory feeding trials, implying that factors other than host suitability are limiting their potential to exert biological control on soybean aphids.