Aphidoletes aphidimyza

(Rondani, 1848)

aphid midge

Aphidoletes aphidimyza is a predatory gall midge used worldwide in programs against aphids. are small, delicate, flies that feed on honeydew and hide beneath leaves during daylight. The bright orange, slug-like larvae are specialized aphid that paralyze prey by injecting venom into leg joints before consuming body contents. The is commercially mass-produced and distributed as pupae in moist substrate for greenhouse applications.

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 aphidimyza: //ˌæfɪdoʊˈliːtiːz æˌfɪdɪˈmaɪzə//

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

distinguished from other small black flies by and association with colonies; larvae recognized by bright orange color, slug-like form, and presence within aphid colonies; differs from hover fly larvae (Syrphidae) by smaller size and distinct leg-attack behavior rather than direct consumption

Images

Habitat

Greenhouses, field crops (alfalfa, hops), orchards (apples), and nursery operations; requires high relative humidity and temperatures of 20–27°C for optimal activity; larvae pupate in soil 1.9–3.8 cm deep

Distribution

Native to and established in North America, Europe, and Japan; mass-produced commercially in Canada, Netherlands, England, Germany, Finland; present in Belgium, Denmark, Norway

Seasonality

Activity peaks at 20–27°C; emerge from pupae in 3–7 days depending on temperature; time approximately 20.6 days at 20°C

Diet

Aphids (Hemiptera: Aphididae); larvae feed on over 70–80 including Myzus persicae (green peach aphid), Aulacorthum solani (foxglove aphid), and Aphis gossypii (melon aphid); feed on aphid honeydew

Host Associations

Myzus persicae - preygreen peach aphid; preferred for oviposition due to meristem-feeding habit
Aulacorthum solani - preyfoxglove aphid; less preferred, receives inconsistent control in multi-prey systems
Aphis gossypii - preymelon aphid; larva kills average of 23.8 individuals during development
Brassica oleracea var. gemmifera - plant of preybrussels sprouts; aphids reared on this plant provide higher nutritional value to
Vicia faba - plant of preybroad bean; aphids reared on this plant reduce
Aphanogmus fulmeki - hymenopteran of pupae, observed in commercial insectaries

Life Cycle

hatch in 2–3 days; larval development 3–7 days; larvae drop to soil and burrow 1.9–3.8 cm to pupate; pupal stage 11.9 days at 20°C; total development from egg to approximately 20.6 days at 20°C; adults live average 10 days; females deposit 100–250 eggs singly or in small groups

Behavior

activity in ; hiding beneath leaves; larvae attack aphids by attaching to leg joints, injecting paralytic venom, then moving to for feeding; larvae may kill more aphids than consumed when prey is high; oviposition preferentially on aphids colonizing new growth and meristematic tissue; attracted to from conspecifics and from spider Linyphia triangularis

Ecological Role

Specialized of aphids; agent in natural and managed ; can achieve 78–95% control of preferred ; efficacy reduced in multi-prey systems when aphid species differ in within-plant distribution

Human Relevance

Commercially mass-produced agent for greenhouse crops, field crops, orchards, and nurseries; sold as pupae in trays or bottles with moist substrate (vermiculite or peat moss); used alone or in combination with other natural enemies such as Aphidius colemani; -based attractants under development to enhance field efficacy

Similar Taxa

Syrphidae (hover flies)larvae also but larger, lack paralytic venom attack , and have distinct maggot-like form with respiratory siphon
Aphidius colemani used in same programs; Aphidoletes is with visible larvae while Aphidius produces mummies; direct on parasitized aphids by Aphidoletes reduces parasitoid production
Fungus gnats (Sciaridae) similar in appearance but larvae feed on fungi, not aphids, and lack bright orange coloration