[Syrphidae] Mating syrphids
Chris Thompson
xelaalex at cox.net
Mon Jun 15 19:43:04 BST 2009
Chris:
Wednesdy I will leave for the bi-annual international workshop on flower
flies in Serbia.
When I get back I will see about finding references for you.
Rearing syrphids in captivity is a mixed bag. Some species are easy to rear
and are routinely used in laboratories (Eristalis tenax and Episyrphus
balteatus) and for greenhouse pollination. However, USDA attempts at using
Cheilosia for the biological control of thistle failed as they could not get
colonies going. Males would simply not mate in a cage.
What you need to do urgently is spend time in the field watching Heringia
calcarata, seeing how it mates, etc. For example, do the males hover and
then mate with the females in the air? Or do the males meet the females on a
leave and simply climb on board, etc
More later ....
Cheers
----- Original Message -----
From: "Chris Bergh" <cbergh at vt.edu>
To: <syrphidae at lists.nottingham.ac.uk>
Sent: Monday, June 15, 2009 8:55 AM
Subject: [Syrphidae] Mating syrphids
> Greetings,
>
> I am in need of any information or advice regarding mating syrphids in
> captivity (any species would be fine, although I work with a Pipizine).
> This information could be from cage studies or (ideally) under quarantine
> conditions. As well, if any of you have any information or records
> regarding parasitism of any Pipizine syrphid by any Diplazon species, that
> would be most useful, too.
>
> Thanks very much for your help. - Chris
>
> J. Christopher Bergh
> Associate Professor of Entomology
> Virginia Tech AHS-AREC
> 595 Laurel Grove Road
> Winchester, VA 22602
> Tel (540) 869-2560 xt.32
> Fax (540) 869-0862
>
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> Syrphidae at lists.nottingham.ac.uk
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