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CYSTIPHORA SONCHI (BREMI) (DIPTERA: CECIDOMYIIDAE), A NEW BIOLOGICAL CONTROL AGENT ESTABLISHED ON THE WEED PERENNIAL SOW-THISTLE (SONCHUS ARVENSIS L.) (COMPOSITAE) IN CANADA

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 May 2012

D.P. Peschken
Affiliation:
Agriculture Canada Research Station, PO Box 440, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada S4P 3A2
A.S. McClay
Affiliation:
Alberta Environmental Centre, Bag 4000, Vegreville, Alberta, Canada T0B 4L0
J.L. Derby
Affiliation:
Agriculture Canada Research Station, PO Box 440, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada S4P 3A2
R. DeClerck
Affiliation:
Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Arizona University, PO Box 5640, Flagstaff, Arizona, USA86011

Abstract

Aspects of the biology of Cystiphora sonchi (Bremi) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) were investigated and releases were made on perennial sow-thistle (Sonchus arvensis L.) (Compositae) in six provinces of Canada. Fecundity, determined by dissection of newly emerged females, averaged 86.2 eggs. Cystiphora sonchi became established in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Nova Scotia, and produced three generations at Vegreville, Alberta. In fall, mature larvae enter the soil, and most can pupate in temperatures of 4 °C. The gall fly thrives in shady and sunny locations. Cattle caused considerable fly mortality by feeding on galled leaves of perennial sow-thistle. Extremely dry or moist soils reduced the number of adults that emerged from pupation and extremely moist soils increased the lengths of the pupation periods. Flooding caused greater mortality of pupae than of larvae but 2% of the larvae survived flooding up to 8 weeks.

Résumé

On a étudié les divers aspects de la biologie de Cystiphora sonchi (Bremi) (Diptères : Cecidomyiidae) et on a effectué des lâchers dans des peuplements de laiteron des champs (Sonchus arvensis L.) (Composées) dans six provinces canadiennes. On a établi le taux de fécondité moyen à 86,2 oeufs en disséquant des femelles nouvellement émergées. Cet insecte s’est établi en Alberta, en Saskatchewan, au Manitoba et en Nouvelle-Écosse et a produit trois générations à Vegreville, en Alberta. À l’automne, les larves matures pénètrent dans le sol et, pour la plupart, la pupaison peut avoir lieu à 4 °C. Cette mouche gallicole vit très bien à l’ombre comme au soleil. Beaucoup de mouches meurent à cause des bovins, car ceux-ci se nourrissent des feuilles infectées du laiteron. Par ailleurs, les sols trop secs ou trop humides réduisent le nombre d’adultes qui sortent de pupaison. Par ailleurs, un excès d’humidité dans le sol allonge la pupaison. Les inondations tuent plus de pupes que de larves, mais 2% seulement des secondes survivent à ces conditions jusqu’à 8 semaines.

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Entomological Society of Canada 1989

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