Effect of UV-Absorbing Nets on the Performance of the Aphid Predator Sphaerophoria Rueppellii (Diptera: Syrphidae).

Photoselective nets have proven to be effective for aphid pest control as they limit their dispersal ability. However, little is known on the impact of such nets on natural enemies of aphids. In this work, we study the effect of UV-absorbing nets on the syrphid fly Wiedemann (Diptera: Syrphidae), a commercially available aphid biocontrol agent in Mediterranean horticultural crops.

A Differential Role of Volatiles from Conspecific and Heterospecific Competitors in the Selection of Oviposition Sites by the Aphidophagous Hoverfly Sphaerophoria rueppellii.

The selection of oviposition sites by syrphids and other aphidophagous insects is influenced by the presence of con- and heterospecific competitors. Chemical cues play a role in this selection process, some of them being volatile semiochemicals. Yet, little is known about the identity and specificity of chemical signals that are involved in the searching behavior of these predators.

Antipredator behaviour of Myzus persicae affects transmission efficiency of Broad bean wilt virus 1.

Biological control has the potential to limit the population growth of arthropod vectors and consequently may be expected to reduce plant virus spread in a crop. However, reduction of vector abundance is not the only effect of biological control. Natural enemies might induce antipredator behaviour that affects feeding and dispersal of vectors, and therefore virus spread.