Hoverfly: A Prominent Predator and Pollinator in the World
Arun Kumar*
Dept. of Entomology, Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture & Technology, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh (208 002), India
Pawan Kumar
Dept. of Entomology, Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gorakhpur University, Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh (273 009), India
Pramod Kumar Mishra
Dept. of Entomology, Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture & Technology, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh (208 002), India
Ashutosh Singh Aman
Dept. of Entomology, Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture & Technology, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh (208 002), India
Naval Datt
Dept. of Entomology, Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture & Technology, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh (208 002), India
DOI: NIL
Keywords: Aphid, Hoverfly, Pollinator, Predator
Abstract
Hoverfly is a prominent insect, work as both predator and pollinator in the eco-system of the world. Its larvae initially attack on aphid colonies and certain other insect-pests. The larvae of hoverflies are crucial natural enemy of pests, such as aphids, scales, thrips and some caterpillars. Aphid populations may be reduced by 70% to 100% when hoverfly larvae populations are enormous. Hoverflies that feed on aphids are recognized as promising agents for use in biocontrol agent because aphids alone cause tens of millions of dollars in damage to crops in the world each year. Several species of hoverflies resemble bees or wasps in appearance. The world’s 2.5 million types of blooming plants are pollinated by 1,00,000-2,00,000 different animal species. Around 1,500 species of birds and mammals visit flowers and may disseminate pollen between them. However, insects are majority of these pollinators.
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Reference
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