Species Composition, Distribution, and Seasonal Abundance of Liriomyza Leafminers (Diptera: Agromyzidae) Under Different Vegetable Production Systems and Agroecological Zones in Kenya

Abstract

A longitudinal study to identify the species of Liriomyza leafminer, their distribution, relative abundance, and seasonal variation, including their host range, was conducted in vegetable fields at three altitudes in Kenya from November 2011 to November 2012. Three main species were identified: Liriomyza huidobrensis (Blanchard), Liriomyza sativae Blanchard, and Liriomyza trifolii (Burgess), of which L. huidobrensis was the most abundant across all altitudes irrespective of the cropping season and accounting for over 90% of the total Liriomyza specimens collected. Liriomyza species were collected from all infested incubated leaves of 20 crops surveyed belonging to seven families: Fabaceae, Solanaceae, Cucurbitaceae, Malvaceae, Brassicaceae, Amaranthaceae, and Amaryllidaceae. However, more than 87.5% of the Liriomyza species were obtained from only four of these crops: Pisum sativum L., Phaseolus vulgaris L., Solanum lycopersicum L., and Solanum tuberosum, thereby demonstrating that Fabaceae and Solonaceae crops are the most important hosts with regard to Liriomyza species richness and relative abundance. L. huidobrensis had the widest host range (20 crops), followed by L. sativae (18 crops) and L. trifolii (12 crops). Although L. trifolii has been considered the dominant Liriomyza leafminer in Kenya, this study suggests that this may not be the case anymore, as L. huidobrensis dominates at all altitudes.

The Invasive Liriomyza huidobrensis (Diptera: Agromyzidae): Understanding Its Pest Status and Management Globally

“…In Kenya, L. huidobrensis is a devastating pest reaching incidence up to 80% across the different crops (fresh vegetables and flowers), altitudes, and seasons (Gitonga et al 2010). The economic situation is further exacerbated by the fact that the leafminer is included in the European Union list of quarantine pests (Foba et al 2015), limiting the export of products to Europe.…”

A decade of leafminer invasion in China: lessons learned

“…While several approaches have been explored as part of the development of an integrated pest management system for L. trifolii , the use of insecticides remains the main approach for control of L. trifolii worldwide . New infestations of L. trifolii are typically subjected to intensive insecticide applications to prevent their establishment…”

First report of leafminer Lyriomyza spp. in Daucus carota in Brazil

“…Diptera, Lepidoptera, and Coleoptera are the taxonomic groups of leaf miners more common of the world (Foba et al, 2015;Jahnke et al, 2008;Queiroz, 2002;Marchiori et al, 2004). The dipterous agromyzid leaf miner, Lyriomiza spp., are a more important polyphagous pest of the vegetables species of plants (Foba et al, 2015) in the Americas.…”

“…The dipterous agromyzid leaf miner, Lyriomiza spp., are a more important polyphagous pest of the vegetables species of plants (Foba et al, 2015) in the Americas. The Liriomyza huidobrensis (Blanchard), L. trifolii (Burgess), and L. sativae (Blanchard) have been recorded as the most important leafminer pests in vegetable production systems in word (Guantai et al, 2015).…”

“…The Liriomyza huidobrensis (Blanchard), L. trifolii (Burgess), and L. sativae (Blanchard) have been recorded as the most important leafminer pests in vegetable production systems in word (Guantai et al, 2015). More than 87% of the Liriomyza species attacking Pisum sativum L., Phaseolus vulgaris L., Solanum lycopersicum L., and Solanum tuberosum (Foba et al, 2015). Adults, males and females, feeding of the leaves and its immature stage (larvae) feeding of palisade parenchyma tissue (Bueno et al, 2007).…”