Aphidoletes aphidimyza oviposition behaviour when multiple aphid pests are presentin the greenhouse

Abstract: The generalist aphid predator Aphidoletes aphidimyza was investigated for ovipositionbehaviour on the pest aphids Myzus persicae and Aulacorthum solani in greenhouse trials.Oviposition was significantly lower on plants with A. solani than with M. persicae. Myzuspersicae were concentrated at the growing points of plants while A. solani predominatelycolonized lower leaves, indicating that lower leaves may be unattractive or undetectedoviposition sites for A. aphidimyza. Thus, this natural enemy may not provide effective control ofA. solani in the greenhouse, especially in the presence of other, more accessible aphid species.Future tests will determine the extent of this effect on aphid biological control programs.