Français

American Hoverfly

Identification

The American Hoverfly (Eupeodes americanus) is found throughout North America. The adult feeds on nectar while the larva feeds on aphids. The larva is very voracious and able to eat up to 300 aphids during its development.

The American hoverfly looks like a wasp/bee but does not sting. It is a strong flier. The adult is 9-12 mm long and has big dark red metallic eyes. His black body has yellow stripes. The wings are transparent and glossy.The eggs are oval and white. Because of a high cannibalization rate, Hoverflies prefer to spread-out their eggs. The larvae hatch after 2-3 days and look like small worms speckled with brown, green, white, and black. At its last stage, the larva measures almost 11 mm. The pupa is brown and oval.

Use hoverflies for prevention with the introduction of reservoir plants or as soon as the first aphids are detected. In summer, the hoverfly can be used with the parasitoid wasp Aphidius colemani and with the predatory midge Aphidoletes aphidimyza for more effectiveness.

The American hoverfly needs nectar for food. If you have pollen but no nectar, you can try supplementing with cotton swabs soaked in 2:1 water with honey or sugar and hung among the plants.

Peppers
Cucumber
Ornemental (flowers)

Aphids

The optimum conditions are a temperature between 18 and 25 ° C and relative humidity between 60 and 80%.
The developmental time of the American hoverfly is 21 days at 24 ° C.
The female can lay up to a hundred eggs in her lifetime.
The eggs hatch after 2-3 days.
Each larva can eat up to 5-10 aphids per day (300 in total during its development).
Adults live 3 to 4 weeks depending on temperature.
May enter diapause.

Tray

Tray containing pupae of Eupeodes americanus in perlite.

American Hoverfly arrive as pupae. Adults emerge after 3 to 5 days and they need to feed on nectar quickly. After a few days of feeding, the adults mate. Once fertilized, female hoverflies lay their eggs in aphid colonies.

Application rate

American Hoverfly
Introduction	Quantity	Surface	Frequency	Duration
Preventive (with reservoir plants + nectar)	0,25	per m²	14 days	2 to 3 introductions
Low curative	0,50	per m²	7-14 days	2 to 3 introductions

Upcoming content.