Biology and Immature Stages of Fruit Flies: Paroxyna albiceps (Diptera: Tephritidae)

• Published in: Journal of the Kansas Entomological Society 1968-01, Vol.41 (1), p.108-119
• Main Authors: Novak, John A., Foote, B. A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult insects; Biological taxonomies; Eggs; Host plants; Immatures; Insect larvae; Instars; Larval development; Plants; Sensilla
• ISSN: 0022-8567; 1937-2353

Life history data and descriptions of the immature stages are given for Paroxyna albiceps (Loew), a common species of Tephritidae in northeastern North America. Species of Aster (Compositae) serving as larval hosts in northeastern Ohio between 1964 and 1966 were A. puniceus L., A. laevis L., A. novae-angliae L., A. praealtus Poir., and A. pilosus Willd. Infestations were heaviest on A. puniceus, lighter on the next three species, and lightest on A. pilosus. Up to 80% of the seeds produced by heavily infested plants were destroyed by the larvae. Adults were found in marshy habitats between mid-June and mid-September. Eggs were deposited among the disk florets of the flower heads during late August. Larvae began feeding on the maturing achenes during early September and generally completed development during early October. Formation of puparia usually took place in the soil beneath the host plants. Overwintering occurred as diapausing pupae, and there was only one generation a year. The pupal diapause was broken by holding the pupae at 5° to 7°C for two or three months. Descriptions and illustrations are given for the egg, three larval instars, and puparium.