Syrphidae species in Balcalıvicinity (Adana), their interactions with aphids in wheat and alfalfa fields

In this study, Syrphid species were determined between November 2011 and November 2012 in Balcalı vicinity of Adana province, and their interactions with aphids in the wheat and alfalfa fields were investigated. Totally 11species; seven of which are aphidophagous and four are saprophagous were identified. Episyrphus balteatus (De Geer, 1776), Sphaerophoria scripta (L., 1758) and Metasyrphus corollae (Fabricious, 1805) were the most common species. Furthermore, Syritta pipiens (L., 1758) and Eristalomia tenax (L., 1758) were found more than other saprofagous species. These two species were caught mostly on weeds.Aphid species, Sitobion avenae (Fabricius, 1775), were found in both wheat fields located in different ecological regions as Balcalı and Doğankent. E. balteatus, S. scripta and M. corollae were determined in both locations. Furthermore, E. balteatus was recorded the highest in number in Balcalı, and S. scripta was recorded the highest in number in Doğankent. Although, positive correlation (P<0,05) are found among common Sryphid species and aphids in wheat fields, but no correlation was detected between Syrphids, caught by the sweep net, there is no correlation in alfalfa.Acyrthosiphon pisum (Haris, 1776) and Aphis craccivora Koch were the more common two aphid species determined and dominant species was A. pisum in alfalfa. Six aphidophagous Syrphid species were determined in alfalfa. Among these species, S. scripta, E. balteatus and M. corollae were common species in alfalfa, such as in wheat.