First report of Toxomerus dispar (Fabricius, 1794) (Diptera: Syrphidae) preying Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith, 1797) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in laboratory (original) (raw)

This research presents the first report of Toxomerus dispar larvae preying on Spodoptera frugiperda caterpillars in laboratory conditions. The fall armyworm is a significant pest in Brazilian maize fields, and although hoverflies have been noted in such ecosystems, their predation on lepidopteran pests has been underexplored. Findings reveal that T. dispar larvae exhibited a high consumption rate and viability when feeding on S. frugiperda, suggesting a potential biological control agent against this pest.