Diurnal periodicity of adult eclosion mating and oviposition of the european leafminer <i>Scaptomyza flava</i> (Falln) (Diptera Drosophilidae)

Abstract

The European leafminer Scaptomyza flava is an important pest of brassicas peas and gypsophila in New Zealand The patterns of S flava adult eclosion mating and oviposition were determined in the laboratory Most adults (97) emerged in the photophase with maximum adult eclosion occurring between 2 and 3 h into the photophase Mating took place exclusively in the photophase and peaked about 30 min after lights on Both male and female S flava mated more than once Females started oviposition 3 days after emergence and the fecundity (number of eggs laid) and fertility (number of eggs hatched) peaked between 5 and 10 days after emergence The mean lifetime fecundity was 133541 eggs with the fertility rate being 57 during the 40day oviposition period