Floral resources enhance aphid suppression by a hoverfly

摘要: The reduction in floral diversity that often accompanies agricultural intensification may compromise the effectiveness of many natural enemies. Field studies examining effects resources on enemy fitness have been rare, however, particularly for predators such as hoverflies. Making link between presence and suppression herbivores crop fields has proved difficult. We investigated resource plant sweet alyssum, Lobularia maritima (L.) Desv. (Brassicaceae), aphid by hoverfly Eupeodes fumipennis (Thomson) (Diptera: Syrphidae) California lettuce fields. alyssum field cages significantly enhanced egg production, resulting more larvae fewer aphids (Hemiptera: Aphididae). Hoverfly survival was unaffected indicating indirect effect mediated primarily through reproductive component fitness. Alyssum other species are used to enhance enemies landscapes, results this study provide some clearest evidence date increasing availability can pest quality elevated