Biological aspects of Pseudodoros clavatus

The life cycle, sex ratio and longevity of the predatory syrphid fly Pseudodoros clavatus (Fabricius) were studied under laboratory conditions. The black legume aphid, Aphis craccivora Koch, was used as prey. P. clavatus and A. craccivora were collected in the experimental plots “Miguel Luna Lugo”, located in Tarabana (10º 01’10.52”N; 69º 16’59.48”W, 515 m), Lara State, Venezuela. Both the predator and the prey were kept in breeding rooms at 25 ± 1 ° C, 68 ± 10% RH and 12:12 (D:N) h of photoperiod. The results showed that the life cycle of P. clavatus had an average duration of 13.6 ± 0.1 days, with a range of variation between 12 and 16 days (egg 2.0 ± 0.0 days; larvae 6.0 ± 0.1 and pupa of 5.6 ± 0.1 days). The average longevity of males and females of P. clavatus was 12.8 ± 1.1 days and 14.0 ± 0.6 days, respectively. The sex ratio of the progeny (male:female) was 1:1. This reproductive index is considered important in order to obtain a high performance in the breeding of the predator. This information may be useful in the development of biological control programs for legume aphids.