Abstract

ARCAYA, Evelín; MENGUAL, Ximo; PEREZ-BANON, Celeste  and  ROJO, Santos. Reports and distribution of predatory syrphids (Diptera: Syrphidae: Syrphinae) in Lara State, Venezuela. Bioagro [online]. 2013, vol.25, n.2, pp.143-148. ISSN 1316-3361.

Field, laboratory and museum studies were conducted to survey and establish the presence of predatory flower flies (subfamily Syrphinae) in Lara State, Venezuela. In the field, flower flies adults were collected using a standard hand net or a Malaise trap. On the other hand, larvae and its prey, together with leaves, were hand collected from the associated plants. Adults collected in the field and those obtained by rearing the immature stages were pinned, labeled and deposited at the collection of the José M. Osorio Museum of Entomology (MJMO). Additionally, Syrphinae species found at the Museum were surveyed. A total of 2,424 specimens of Syrphinae were studied, belonging to 12 genera and 40 species. Toxomerus was the genus with the highest number of species in the collection. The collection of predatory flower flies at the Museum is an important information source for research projects, as well as for teaching and training professionals in the use of these biological control agents in agricultural crops.

Keywords : Biological control; geographical distribution; prey.

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