Articles
BIONOMICS OF DELIA FLORILEGA /ZETTERSTEDT/ IN NEW YORK
Article number
219_3
Pages
21 – 26
Language
Abstract
The seed-infesting maggots Delia florilega /Zetterstedt/ and D. platura /Meigen/ frequently occur concurrently in New York State and have been distinguished with certainty only by using adult male characters.
Unlike D. platura, it has been impossible to obtain a succession of generations of D. florilega in rearing attempts.
We established a pure laboratory colony of D. florilega from eggs laid by individually-caged flies from mixed populations of the two species.
New flies emerged in 3–4 weeks after egg hatch.
Only when all of the males from each group of eggs proved to be D. florilega were sibling females also regarded as that species.
Those isolated D. florilega adults were used in establishing the colony.
Undamaged females from the colony were examined closely and a more accurate separation from D. platura females was developed based on setal arrangements of the mesothoracic tibia.
In controlled laboratory tests, adult and larval behavior of D. florilega was similar to D. platura.
The average ratio of D. florilega to D. platura populations captured in the field during a 4-year study was 1:3.7.
Unlike D. platura, it has been impossible to obtain a succession of generations of D. florilega in rearing attempts.
We established a pure laboratory colony of D. florilega from eggs laid by individually-caged flies from mixed populations of the two species.
New flies emerged in 3–4 weeks after egg hatch.
Only when all of the males from each group of eggs proved to be D. florilega were sibling females also regarded as that species.
Those isolated D. florilega adults were used in establishing the colony.
Undamaged females from the colony were examined closely and a more accurate separation from D. platura females was developed based on setal arrangements of the mesothoracic tibia.
In controlled laboratory tests, adult and larval behavior of D. florilega was similar to D. platura.
The average ratio of D. florilega to D. platura populations captured in the field during a 4-year study was 1:3.7.
Authors
C.J. Eckenrode, T.H. Kim
Keywords
Online Articles (16)