Aphidoletes

Kieffer, 1904

aphid midge

Species Guides

1

Aphidoletes is a of predatory gall midges (Cecidomyiidae) whose larvae are specialized . The best-known , Aphidoletes aphidimyza, is widely used in commercial programs against aphids in greenhouse and field crops. are small, delicate flies that feed on honeydew, while larvae actively hunt and consume aphids using paralytic venom.

Aphidoletes aphidimyza by (c) Whitney Cranshaw, Colorado State University., some rights reserved (CC BY). Used under a CC-BY license.Aphidoletes.aphidomyza.possibly.2 by James K. Lindsey. Used under a CC BY-SA 3.0 license.Cécidomyie du puceron by Rsbernard. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Aphidoletes: /ˌæfɪdoʊˈliːtiːz/

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Distribution

Recorded from Denmark (DK), Norway (NO), and Sweden (SE) in GBIF data; within the are commercially distributed for in North America and Europe.

Human Relevance

in this , particularly Aphidoletes aphidimyza, are mass-reared by insectaries and sold commercially as agents for management in greenhouses and field crops. They are supplied as pupae in trays or bottles with moist substrate (vermiculite or peat moss) for release programs.

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Sources and further reading