Biology and feeding potential Episyrphus balteatus De Geer (Diptera: Syrphidae) on green apple aphid Aphis pomi De Geer (order Hemiptera: Aphididae) in Hills of Shimla, (H.P.), India

In the  present study three species of syrphid predators were found feeding on green apple aphid on the apple nursery plants. These species are Betasyrphus serarius (Wiedemann), Episyrphus balteatus De Geer, and Metasyrphus confrater (Wiedemann). These syrphid species belonging to Family Syrphidae of order Diptera. Observations were made on Episyrphus balteatus De Geer a syrphid predator of green apple aphid, Aphis pomi De Geer in Shimla Hills of Himachal Pradesh, India. The larval stages of Episyrphus balteatus De Geer, was found to predate upon the green apple aphid, Aphis pomi De Geer which is a serious pest of apple nursery plants in Himachal Pradesh which is the main apple growing state of India. Feeding potential of larval stages of Episyrphus balteatus De Geer was recorded during summer and autumn season. Present studies show that the larvae of this species can effectively control the populations of green apple aphid, Aphis pomi De Geer in the apple orchards and nurseries.