ECOLOGY OF THE CABBAGE MAGGOT, HYLEMYA BRASSICAE (DIPTERA: ANTHOMYIIDAE), IN RUTABAGA IN SOUTHWESTERN ONTARIO, WITH SOME OBSERVATIONS ON OTHER ROOT MAGGOTS

Abstract

AbstractThe cabbage maggot, Hylemya brassicae (Bouché), had three generations per year from 1970 to 1973 inclusive, a partial fourth was noted in most years. A small proportion of first generation pupae entered aestivation in 1971.Thermal units required for fly emergence from overwintered pupae fell within a narrow range (174 to 199), but there was little correlation between thermal units and fly emergence in subsequent generations. Lack of adequate moisture delayed establishment of larvae in roots in some generations. Lack of adequate soil moisture delayed establishment of larvae in roots in some generations, and this appeared to be the chief reason for the lack of correlation between thermal units and fly peaks.Throughout this investigation the over-all population remained remarkably constant. Parasitism by a staphylinid, Aleochara bilineata Gyll., and a fungus, Strongwellsea castrans Batko and Weiser, and soil moisture were the most important biological and climatic factors affecting survival. Parasitism of the adult by a nematode, Heterotylenchus sp., was recorded for the first time.Although large numbers of seed maggot adults, Hylemya florilega (Zett.) and H. platura (Meig.), were recorded, few infested rutabaga. Other species trapped included Euxesta notata (Weid.) and Muscina spp.