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Pest Control
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Catalog
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Pest Control / Crop Recommendations
$70.00
$70.00
TARGET PEST: Liriomyza bryoniae, L. trifolii and L. huidobrensis, as well as of the chrysanthemum leafminer Phytomyza syngenesiae
Diglyphus isaea is a widespread parasitoid of leafminer larvae. It is reported from a large number of host species, but commercially is of interest as a parasite of Liriomyza bryoniae, L. trifolii and L. huidobrensis, as well as of the Chrysanthemum Leafminer Phytomyza syngenesiae.
The adult wasps are very variable in size, and are a dark metallic green in colour. They search for host larvae of suitable size within leaf tissue, and sting them through the leaf cuticle. The sting paralyses the host larva within a short time, and the female wasp then lays one or more eggs alongside it. The hatching Diglyphus larvae feed externally on the paralysed, but still living, host. It is described as an ectoparasitoid. Parasitised larvae can be recognised by the lack of movement within the mine: they will often move away from the end of the mine, where a healthy larva would be actively feeding. Microscopic examination and dissection of the mine will show them to be flaccid and unresponsive. The host larva will discolour as the parasite develops, and because it is no longer feeding, the mine stops growing.