ROOT MAGGOT DAMAGE TO CANOLA AND THE DISTRIBUTION OF DELIA SPP. (DIPTERA: ANTHOMYIIDAE) IN MANITOBA

Abstract

AbstractThe cabbage root maggot, Delia radicum (L.), was the only Delia species capable of attacking undamaged roots of canola [oilseed rape, Brassica napus (L.)] that was found in commercial fields in Manitoba. Adults of the overwintering generation infest canola. Their progeny, adults of the first generation, left the maturing plants after completing a single generation. Root maggot damage occurred in fields in all agricultural regions of the province. The mean percentage of the roots with damage was higher in the more northerly agricultural regions (15.8%) than in the south (8.0%). Most of the damage was light and the damage did not visibly affect the growth or vigour of the plants. Foot rot fungi were not associated with the feeding damage. In cage experiments, the seed yield of canola did not decrease with increasing proportions of plants damaged by D. radicum. The percentage of plants with root maggot damage (DAM) was best described in a polynomial by the mean daily air temperature (TEMP) and the total precipitation (RAIN) for June and July:log(DAM + 1)=–12.3 + 0.66 TEMP + 0.09 RAIN – 0.004(TEMP × RAIN).The level of damage caused by the larvae of D. radicum to canola in commercial fields during the years 1985 through 1988 did not appear to have caused yield losses. However, the level of damage increased with increasing precipitation and temperature during June and July so a series of favourable years could lead to increased damage and possibly to significant yield losses.