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BIOLOGY AND LEAF-MINING BEHAVIOUR OF PHYTOMYZA LANATI (DIPTERA: AGROMYZIDAE)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 May 2012

Maurice J. Tauber
Affiliation:
Department of Entomology and Limnology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York
Catherine A. Tauber
Affiliation:
Department of Entomology and Limnology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York

Abstract

The first signs of Phytomyza lanati Spencer activity are the feeding marks of the adult on the lower leaf surface of Heracleum lanatum Michx. In Alameda County, Calif., the adults were first seen in January and the larvae were present from mid-February to mid-June. Eggs are laid in the spongy mesophyll and the serpentine mine, made by the solitary larva, is mainly confined to the palisade layer. The larva remains within a single mine until just before puparium formation. At this time the mature larva exits from the leaf through a cut in the lower surface and drops to the soil. At 75 ± 1°F the average duration of the three immature stages are 47, 36, and 60 hours. Because the depth of the mine is constant, the surface area of the mine indicates the relative volume of food consumed. A comparison of the instars shows that the amount and rate of tunnelling increases greatly with each succeeding moult. Under constant temperature there is no significant difference between the amount mined during equivalent light and dark periods.

Adult activity, such as feeding, mating, and oviposition, occurs on the underside of the leaf. Feeding on the plant exudate appears necessary for sustaining adult life.

Three hymenopteran parasites were reared from P. lanati.Biological characteristics served to differentiate P. lanati from other Phytomyza species.

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Entomological Society of Canada 1968

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