The larvae of some midges (e.g. Aphidoletes sp.) feed exclusively on, and are common predators of, aphids and some species (e.g. Feltiella acarisuga) prey on spider mites.
- Newly hatched larvae have limited mobility and perceive prey by contact, starving when the prey density is not high.
- Natural populations probably have only limited impact on aphid populations.
- Mass rearing methods have been developed for some predatory species but these have only been used successfully on protected crops.