Examining the commonest hoverfly larval species present on bean plants with aphids and

other plants with aphids so as to determine its adult which then can be reared to act as a

biological control for bean aphids

By

Yamikani Kaliwo

REG Number 200101096

Supervisor Mrs Yolice Tembo

This concept note has been submitted to the Department of Crops and Soil Sciences In partial

Fulfillment of Master’s Degree in Crop Protection.

INTRODUCTION

Aphids are major agricultural and horticultural pests throughout the world. While they can result

in direct damage to crops through feeding on phloem tissue, they can also contribute to severe

indirect damage by acting as primary vectors of many plant viruses. Aphids reproduce rapidly

and have been shown to adapt quickly to host-plant phenology and ecology, as well as plant

physiology and biochemistry (e.g. Pettersson et al. 2007).

These pest seem to find way into every garden. In large numbers, they can weaken plants

significantly, harm flowers and fruits. Aphids multiply quickly, so it is important to get them

under control before reproduction starts. Because of this aphid eating hoverflies are recognized

as important enemies of pest and potential agents for use in biological control. The immature

hoverfly look like maggot and they use their sharp mouths to pierce the skin of the prey prior to

extracting body fluids. Some adult hoverflies are important pollinator and they do feed on nectar,

but some species feed on pollen.

PROBLEM STATEMENT

Bean crops are mostly affected by aphids during each growing season in Malawi. There are

many ways of controlling aphids. These include chemical, cultural, physical and biological

control. Every control has its strengths and weaknesses; for example, chemical insecticides can
provide adequate control of aphid populations, increased resistance among aphid populations to

chemical products highlights the need for alternative control methods, including the use of

natural enemies (Cook et al.2007).In order to increase the effectiveness of such alternative

control techniques we need a better understanding of the ecology and behavior within these tri-

trophic interactions.

While aphids in general feed on a wide variety of plants in Malawi, different species of aphids

can be specific to certain plants. For example, some species include bean aphids, cabbage aphids,

potato aphids, green peach aphids, melon aphids, and woolly apple aphids.

Since Aphid communities are subject to predation by a broad range of specialist and generalist

arthropod predators and parasitoids, these natural enemies can have a significant impact on aphid

populations (Gilbert 1986, 2005).

Since hoverflies larval are one of the natural enemies of aphids, they reduce the number of

aphids, but there is a need to investigate which type of the commonest hoverfly larval species

feeds on the aphids which are on bean plants so as to discover its adult type which can be reared

and properly conserved and its population be increased for them to continue with their aphids

predatory role. This will minimize the use of synthetic pesticides, which is why there is a need to

conduct this research.

OBJECTIVE

Main Objective

 Examining the commonest hoverfly larval species on bean plants with aphid.

 Examining to which extent the hoverfly larval species can reduce the bean aphid

population.
  Determining if the larval species found on the bean aphids are similar to the larva species

found on the other plants.

Specific objectives

 Examining the hoverfly larval species present on the other plants with aphids

 Determining the hoverfly larval and its correspondence aphid pupa.

 Investigating on how the larval species can be reared in laboratory and semi-cage field

trials.

Study area

The study will be conducted at Bunda College which is located in the central region of Malawi,

the sampling site will be the gardens and the fields which

RESEARCH DESING AND METHODOLOGY

The research will be comprised of randomized block design for lab and semi cage field

experiments while the complete randomized block will be used to carry out the field

experiments, we will establish three sampling sites and will have four replicates within each of

the sites, to give a total of 12 sampling sites.

Syrphid fly eggs are often found around aphid colonies, an immediate food source for the

emerging larvae. The larvae are small, brown or green maggots. Emergent larvae are legless

worms, dull green and smooth, with two long white stripes of ½ inch in length. We will start

with larval collection in the dambo fields which have not been sprayed. In gardens each plot will

be walked over systematically and larval underside of the plants leaves will be sampled by hand
searching, we will inspect not less than 100 different crops, vials will be used to collected the

larval for laboratory condition rearing and semi caged field rearing, the crop name, location and

the aphid name will be recorded for future reference after the larval emerge to adult hoverfly

during the growing season we will sample the larvae in field in the same way as we will do in the

gardens.

Data analysis

Primary data will be entered into the computer using excel and then the obtained data will be

analyzed using regression model where statistical package for social scientists (SPSS) will be

used

TIME FRAME

The research will be conducted during the growing season and the summer season.

Reference

Cook SM, Khan ZR, Pickett JA (2007) the use of Push-Pull strategies in integrated pest

management. Annu Rev Entomol 52

Natwick, E. T. 2010. UC IPM: UC management guidelines for bean aphid on sugarbeet [Online].

UC IPM pest management guidelines: Sugar beets, UC ANR Publication 3469, Insects and

Mites.

UC Statewide IPM Program, University of California, Davis. Available at:

http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/r735300311.html (verified 29 July 2011).

Pettersson J, Tjallingii WF, Hardie J (2007) Host-plant selection and feeding. In: Van Emden H,

Harrington R (eds) Aphids as crop pests. CAB International, Wallingford, pp 87–114:375–400