Abstract
The larvae of aphidophagous hoverflies (Diptera: Syrphidae: Syrphinae) have strongly sclerotized mouthparts that allow them to capture and eat their prey. To consider the larvae of the syrphid Pseudodoros clavatus as efficient predators, the morphology of larval mouthparts was analyzed and larvae were evaluated as potential biological control of Aphis craccivora. As a result, mouthparts are composed by two groups of dental sclerites, corresponding to the tento pharyngeal and hypopharyngeal sclerite. Mouthparts have two outer elements or triangular sclerites which are absent in the first instar, appear in the second and remains in the third instar. This structure probably works to anchor the front part of the predator in the dam that prevents its scape. Suction is characterized by an active movement of the cephalopharyngeal skeleton and a peristaltic movement of the abdomen. In assessing the functional response of the species, the breeding of this predator was established departing from the larvae and adults obtained in the field, test were done with different prey density (10, 20, 30 aphids) and different predator densities (1, 2, 3 third-instar larvae). The results of predation assays were observed on 24 hours showing that a bigger the presence of aphids, bigger the consumption of the larvae. A 100% of predation was observed when two or more individuals were used.
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