The larvae of several species of hoverfly (syrphid) are common predators of aphids on apple and pear.
- The slightly flattened, maggot like larvae feed amongst aphid colonies and are voracious predators.
- They can have a significant regulatory effect on aphid populations, especially later in the season, but they appear too late for rosy apple aphid which can rapidly cause damage early in the season.
- Hoverfly adults are attracted to flowering plants and these can be beneficially sown round orchard margins or in the ‘weed-free’ strip under the tree to increase orchard biodiversity.
- Unfortunately, hoverflies and their larvae are adversely affected by broad-spectrum insecticides including by most aphicides.