Ingestion-Egestion and Aerial Transmission ofPythium aphanidermatumby Shore Flies (Ephydrinae:Scatella stagnalis)

Abstract

Aerial transmission of Pythium aphanidermatum by shore flies (Scatella stagnalis) is documented for the first time. Shore flies, which were thought to feed only on blue-green algae and diatoms, also fed on cucumber roots colonized by the fungus. Ninety-seven percent of the first and second instar larvae, 20% of pupae/third instar larvae, and 10% of adult flies carried mature oospores in their gut. Oospores excreted by larvae and adults were capable of germinating. P. aphanidermatum was transmitted to healthy cucumber plants by naturally infested larvae and adult flies (...)