Rearing and Long-Term Maintenance of Eristalis tenax Hoverflies for Research Studies.

ABSTRACT: With an estimated 6000 species worldwide, hoverflies are ecologically important as alternative pollinators to domesticated honeybees. However, they are also a useful scientific model to study motion vision and flight dynamics in a controlled laboratory setting. As the larvae develop in organically polluted water, they are useful models for investigating investment in microbial immunity. While large scale commercial breeding for agriculture already occurs, there are no standardized protocols for maintaining captive populations for scientific studies. This is important as commercial captive breeding programs focusing on mass output during peak pollination periods may fail to provide a population that is consistent, stable and robust throughout the year, as is often needed for other research

SUBMITTER: Nicholas S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6101274 | biostudies-literature | 2018 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature