ISHS Acta Horticulturae 219: International Symposium on Diptera Pests in Vegetable Crops
DELIA ANTIQUA /MEIGEN/ : AN INCREASING THREAT IN NORTH AMERICA |
| Author: | C.J. Eckenrode |
| Abstract:
The onion maggot /OM/, Delia antiqua /Meigen/, is an increasing threat in North America because of the following: 1/ the ability of the OM to develop resistance to control measures; 2/ a complete reliance on insecticides for suppression of the OM; 3/ lack of development of new insecticides for use on onions; 4/ the inability of many growers to provide proper rotations of onions with non-host crops. For over a decade, research at NYSAES has focused on clarification of fly population movements and interactions of OM with onions. We believe that a more complete understanding of pest bionomics will lead to additional control strategies that could be substituted for or integrated with properly-applied soil insecticides. Findings include: 1/ significant numbers of flies' emerging from overwintering pupae will oviposit on young onions planted up to 2 kilometers distant from a source planting from the previous year; 2/ microbial activity and mechanical damage promote oviposition and subsequent invasion by larvae; 3/ healthy, undamaged bulbs become increasingly resistant to attack with the onset of maturity; 4/ the majority of overwintering individuals develop on damaged bulbs left in the field after harvest. | |
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