A preliminary Note on the Life-history of certain Anthomyiad Flies, Atherigona spp. and Acritochaeta excisa, Thomson.

Abstract

This paper summarises the results of observations made at Coimbatore between 1914 and 1921. The species of Atherigona dealt with are the " Cholam " fly, the " Cumbu " fly and the rice-stem fly. The eggs of the first hatch in 36-44 hours, the larval period lasting 6-10 days and the pupal period 6-7 days. The larvae live on Sorghum, attacking only the young seedlings and shoots. The " Cumbu " fly attacks both seedlings and full-grown plants of Pennisetum typhofdeum, the egg stage lasting 37-48 hours, the larval 7-9 days and the pupal about 6 days. The larvae of the rice-stem fly damage the rice plants only in the seedling stage. The eggs hatch in 33-48 hours, the larval period being 6-7 days and the pupal 7 days. The eggs of the tomato fly, Acritochaeta excisa [Atherigona orientalis], Thorns., hatch in 28-36 hours, and the larval and pupal stages last 6-7 days each. The Anthomyud flies that have been noted on other cereals, such as Panicum miliar e, P. frumentaceum and Paspalum scrobiculatum, are all different.