Rearing Root Maggots, Chiefly Hylemya brassicae (Bouché) (Diptera: Anthomyiidae) for Bioassay

Abstract

AbstractDetails of a method of mass rearing eggs and larvae of the cabbage root maggot, Hylemya brassicae (Bouché) for bioassay and of continuous propagation of all stages of the pest are described. The technique was equally suitable for rearing the onion maggot H. antiqua (Meig.), the seed corn maggot H. calicruraliturata (Rond.) and the carrot rust fly, Psila rosa (L.). Under the conditions described, 2000-2500 eggs or first-instar larvae of H. brassicae were obtained from 50-60 female flies in 24 hours, or 1000-1200 mature larvae or pupae were reared from eggs produced by 25 female flies in approximately 20 days.