Larval ecology

One of the aspects of our research towards enhancing the understanding of complex insect-plant interactions includes hoverfly life cycle studies and the developmental stages research. Through the application of different techniques for the discovery, determination and description of larvae and puparia, we use various approaches for their analysis, currently being primarily directed towards underexplored developmental stages of phytophagous hoverflies and their host plants. Furthermore, hoverfly larvae have a wide spectrum of feeding habits, and varying levels of specialism make them environmentally and economically important: aphid predators in controlling pests, saprophagous as recyclers and composters of organic wastes, and phytophagous as potential horticultural pests but also as bioindicators of environmental stress, habitat quality and landscape changes.

 

Research towards the discovery of larval morphology, as well as their biology and ecology in general, is essential in possible future use of flies in various applications in sustainable agriculture, such as biological pest control and commercial pollination. Moreover, in employing mass insect larvae rearing in biodegradation and organic waste management, providing new source of protein and organic fertilizers, lies the potential of the use of the latest high-end technologies in advanced feed solutions. Applying fly artificial breeding procedures could have various applications in terms of bioconversion as an innovative model of circular economy.