Alternative plants for development of picture‐winged fly pests of maize

Abstract

AbstractEleven species of picture‐winged flies (Diptera: Ulidiidae: Lipsanini) have been reported attacking maize [Zea mays L. (Poaceae)] ears in the Americas. Four of these species are sweet corn pests in America north of Mexico: Chaetopsis massyla (Walker), Euxesta annonae (Fabricius), E. eluta Loew, and E. stigmatias Loew. Adults of these four species appear at the beginning of each season following maize‐free periods, suggesting other plants act as food sources for maintenance and development of these flies. Studies were conducted in Florida, USA, to evaluate the suitability of several crop and non‐crop plants commonly occurring near maize plantings as developmental hosts for these flies. Laboratory trials were conducted using laboratory colonies of C. massyla, E. eluta, and E. stigmatias to determine their developmental rates and pupal survivorship on roots, stems, leaves, or fruits of 14 crop and weed species. All three fly species completed development on all tested crops (Brassica oleracea L., Capsicum chinense Jacquin, Capsicum annum L., Carica papaya L., Persea americana Mill., Raphanus sativus L., Saccharum officinarum L., and Solanum lycopersicum L.) and weed species [Amaranthus spinosus L., Portulaca oleracea L., Sorghum halepense (L.), and Typha spp.], except for Daucus carota L. roots and Solanum tuberosum L. tubers. Findings of the current study suggest that the presence of multiple host crops in areas surrounding maize fields may help explain the occurrence of these maize‐infesting ulidiids immediately after prolonged absences of maize.