In‐transit control of Liriomyza trifolii in chrysanthemum cuttings¹

Abstract

Individual cuttings and leaves of chrysanthemum infested with eggs and larvae of the alien leaf miner Liriomyza trifolii (Burgess) and batches of pupae, were treated in the laboratory in order to find an effective quarantine treatment to control the pest in imported cuttings. Cold treatment for 2 days at 1–2°C followed by methyl bromide fumigation at 15°C with a range of concentration time products (CTPs) was used to obtain accurate dose‐response lines and estimate the LD99 and LD99.9 for each stage of the insect. The largest estimates of the LD99 for eggs, larvae and pupae up to 3 days old were less than the CTP specified in the existing (as at September 1983) United Kingdom statutory fumigation treatment designed to prevent the entry of Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd.). This statutory schedule for unrooted cuttings consists of cold storage for 2 days at 1–2°C and then fumigation with methyl bromide at a CTP of not less than 54 g·h/m3 with a minimum treatment period of 4 h at a minimum air temperature of 15°C. Our results indicate that the Spodoptera treatment should give high levels of kill for most stages of L. trifolii provided a CTP of 54 g·h/m3 and a temperature of 15°C (throughout the fumigation) arc achieved uniformly within packs of cuttings when they are fumigated in their transit boxes in commercial practice. The practicality of the technique will depend on whether it is possible to achieve this without causing unacceptable phytotoxicity. The LD99 values for pupae more than 3 days old were greater than those for eggs, larvae and young pupae. Therefore, if this treatment were adopted as a quarantine measure against L. trifolii, good prophylactic treatments and rigorous prc‐packing inspections in exporting countries would still need to be maintained, to minimize any risk of importing pupae. The results are presented in full by Mortimer E.A. & Powell, D.F. (1984). Development of a combined cold storage and methyl bromide fumigation treatment to control the American serpentine leaf miner Liriomyza trifolii (Diptera: Agromyzidae) in imported chrysanthemum cuttings. Annals of Applied Biology105, (3), 443–454.