Author： CAMPBELL R. L. KOEHLER C. S.
Publisher： Entomological Society of America
ISSN： 1938-2901
Source： Annals of the Entomological Society of America, Vol.64, Iss.1, 1971-01, pp. : 1-11
Disclaimer: Any content in publications that violate the sovereignty, the constitution or regulations of the PRC is not accepted or approved by CNPIEC.
Abstract
Inopus rubriceps (Macquart) is a potentially serious pest which is now infesting lawns in San Francisco and San Mateo Counties in California. It was first reported in this area in 1948. The species is indigenous to eastern Australia, where it infests such crops as maize, pastures, and sugarcane. Damage to turf and other members of the grass family results from withdrawal of sap from roots of host plants by the larvae and, possibly, injection of a toxin into the plant. In California adults occur in large numbers from late September to early November each year. In some years there is a small spring flight. Eggs are deposited in crevices in the soil and hatch in 12 days at 20°C. The average number of eggs laid per female is 230 at 20°C. The length of larval life is believed to be at least 2 years. Larvae can survive extraordinarily long periods of starvation but are subject to rapid death by desiccation. Larvae can move well both horizontally and vertically through loose soil. Core samples taken over a 2-year period averaged 87 larvae per 0.093 ft of infested turf. Pupation occurs near the surface of the soil; the pupal stage lasts about 26 days at 20°C. At 20° adult female flies survived 5 days; males survived 8 days.
Related content
By SAMSON PETER R. MILNER RICHARD J. McLENNAN PAUL D.
Environmental Entomology, Vol. 23, Iss. 3, 1994-06 ,pp. :
Access to resources
Recommend
