Date of Award:

5-1-1978

Document Type:

Thesis

Degree Name:

Master of Science (MS)

Department:

Biology

Department name when degree awarded

Life Sciences:Biology

Committee Chair(s)

Donald Davis

Committee

Donald Davis

Committee

Neal Van Alfen

Committee

Clair Theurer

Committee

Carl Blickenstaff

Abstract

The sugarbeet root maggot is supposedly native to North America, yet it was previously known to develop only on Beta vulgaris, a plant introduced from Europe. Various authors reported finding eggs or infested plants of lamb's quarter (Chenopodium album), redroot (Amaranthus retroflexus), prostrate pigweed (Amaranthus blitoides), black nightshade (Solanum nigrum), and curly dock (Rumex crispus). Field, greenhouse, and laboratory studies were conducted to determine the native or alternate hosts of the sugarbeet root maggot and their relative suitability as hosts. In the field, suspected hosts and related plants were surveyed and subjected to sugarbeet root maggot flies under artificial and natural conditions. In the greenhouse, oviposition preference and host suitability were tested using caged flies and artificially infesting plants with eggs. In the laboratory, egg storage and olfactory response were tested. Field and greenhouse tests indicated none of the plants reported in the literature as hosts of the sugarbeet root maggot were suitable as hosts. Extension of the suitable host list beyond the genus Beta was only to Spinacia and Atriplex which are genera in the family Chenopodiacae. All species in the genus Beta, which were adequately tested, supported some to excellent larval development. Oviposition preference tests indicated the sugarbeet root maggot oviposits somewhat indiscriminately in the presence of suitable hosts. Almost all entries received eggs. However, there was an overall preference indicated for those plants proven as suitable hosts. Laboratory tests indicated eggs can be stored up to 20 days without significant loss of viability. Olfactory tests indicated an overall preference for plant tissue as opposed to an empty chamber.

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