Characterization and Morphologically Identification of Scavenger Syrphid (Insecta: Diptera) Pupae Using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.26515/rzsi/v123/i2S/2023/172519Keywords:
Hoverflies, immature stages, SEM, scavenger, spiracleAbstract
The preimaginal stages of hoverflies have a range of feeding habitats benefiting the ecosystem in plenty ways: control aphid population on crop plants, scavenger, and predator in the ant nest, decomposer of organic matter, etc. Indeed, studies on Indian syrphid fauna have long been restricted only to the morpho-taxonomy of the adult stage. The present study has identified, characterize, and elucidate scavenger syrphid pupae collected from the different habitats of Gangetic Plains using a Scanning Electron Microscopic (SEM) study. The ultrastructural morphology of the pupal spiracle (shape, size, surface nature, and extensions from the surface) has been found to hold the diagnostic key to species.