Biological characteristics and larval feeding rate of hoverfly Scaeva albomaculata (Macqaurt) on Myzus persicae (Sulzer) were determined at laboratory conditions. The experiments were carried out in growth chamber at 25±2?C, RH 55-65% and a photoperiodism of 16:8 (L:D) h. The incubation period, larval period, pupal period and developmental time
(S. albomaculata) were determined as 4.67, 11.33, 7.83 and 24.83 days, respectively. Adult longevity considerably increased (35.60 days) when fed with honey solution but in the non-feeding situation, it lasted for only 3.5 days. The results indicated that each female produced 95.50 eggs, on average, during its life time, 85.97% of which hatched to first instar larvae. There were significant differences (P<0.1) observed in daily and total feeding rate among the first, second and third instar larvae. Each larva of S. albomaculata fed on 521.10 aphids during larval period and revealed a high potential for feeding on M. persicae. The third instar larvae played an important role in feeding rate, such that 70.30% of total larval feeding was due to this instar level. Per capita daily feeding rate of the first, second and third instar larvae amounted to 8.79, 38.06 and 76.31, respectively. Because of considerable reproduction as well as feeding rate, hoverfly S. albomaculata can be employed in biological control, and in integrated management programs of different aphid species, specially M. persicae.
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