Abstract:

The aim of this study was to determine the syrphid species (Diptera: Syrphidae) predatory on the aphids (Hemiptera: Aphididae) feeding on pome and stone fruit trees and herbaceous host plants in orchards in Çanakkale Province, Turkey in the spring and summer of 2020 and 2021. A total of six syrphid species from six genera and 15 aphid species were identified. The most common syrphid species were Episyrphus balteatus (De Geer), Eupeodes corollae (Fabricius) and Scaeva pyrastri (Linnaeus) with nine, five and five aphid prey species, respectively. The highest species diversity of the syrphid-aphid complex on the fruit trees was on plum trees (Prunus domestica L. (Rosaceae)), with three syrphids associated with two aphids. In addition, five syrphid species were associated with eight aphid species feeding on seven herbaceous host plants. The results of this study show that syrphids have the potential to be substantial contributors to the biological control of aphid pests.