Biology of the Vegetable Leafminer, Liriomyza sativae (Blanchard) (Diptera: Agromyzidae) on Kidney Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) and Pak Choi (Brassica rapa var. chinensis)

Abstract

Background: The vegetable leafminer, Liriomyza sativae (Blanchard) is a serious pest of vegetable and ornamental crops in the whole Vietnam. Previous studies indicate that biology of Liriomyza leafminers depends on host plant. The objective of this study was to understand the performance of L. sativae on kidney bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) and pak choi (Brassica rapa var. chinensis). Methods: The experiment was carried out at the Laboratory of Entomology, Faculty of Agronomy, University of Agriculture and Forestry, Hue University, Vietnam during 2020 and 2021. The development time of immature stages, longevity and fecundity of L. sativae were investigated on kidney bean and pak choi. Result: The total developmental time from egg to adult emergence of the vegetable leafminer fed on kidney bean was shorter (17.1 days) than that on pak choi (18.2 days). Fecundity of the adults on kidney bean (190.2 eggs) were larger than that on pak choi (73.3 eggs). The results indicated that pak choi was less suitable host plant than kidney bean.