ArticlePest management science2026
The role of the hoverfly (Episyrphus balteatus) in greenhouse vegetable production: contributions as a pollinator and aphid predator.
Article in Pest management science, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
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Abstract
backgroundThe hoverfly Episyrphus balteatus (Diptera: Syrphidae) contributes to crop pollination and biological control; however, these two essential ecosystem services are seldom jointly assessed. Here, we evaluate the pollination efficacy and aphid control performance of mass-reared E. balteatus in three greenhouse horticultural crops, i.e. tomato, eggplant, and muskmelon. In addition, fruit quality parameters were compared among crops subjected to hoverfly pollination and hormone treatment.
resultsUnder E. balteatus treatments, fruit set in tomato, muskmelon, and eggplant was raised to rates above 97%. Hoverflies equally contributed to biological control of the aphid Aphis gossypii, achieving high control efficiency. The aphid biological control efficacy was 88% in muskmelon and 92% in eggplant under a hoverfly:aphid ratio of 1:200. Compared to hormone treatments, fruits pollinated by E. balteatus exhibited more symmetrical and rounded shapes along with enhanced nutrient content.
conclusionOur study demonstrates that hoverfly-mediated pollination and biological control services bolster the yield and quality of crops, providing forward momentum for more sustainable forms of agri-food production in China and abroad. © 2026 Society of Chemical Industry.
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