Continuous Rearing of the Carrot Rust Fly, Psila rosae (Fab.)

Abstract

AbstractA method for continuous rearing of the carrot rust fly, Psila rosae (Fabricius), has been developed for the first time. All stages of the rearing were conducted in a temperature cabinet maintained at 64 ± 2°F. Adults in a screen cage were fed water, honey, soybean flour and yeast. The females oviposited in the soil of potted carrots. Eggs were periodically removed with the top layer of soil to gallon jars containing several carrots layered in muck soil.Field collected puparia emerged satisfactorily at 70°F., but not at higher temperatures. In the laboratory population there was a preponderance of males. A generation of carrot rust flies was completed in approximately 80 days.