Authors: SPRINGER, T. L.; CARLTON, C. E.

Source: Journal of Economic Entomology, Volume 86, Number 5, October 1993 , pp. 1420-1423(4)

Publisher: Entomological Society of America

Abstract:

We examined the oviposition preference of darkwinged fungus gnats, Bradysia spp., on 14 Trifolium cultivars representing seven species and seedling mortality following fungus gnat larval feeding. Variation in fungus gnat oviposition preference was detected for interspecific Trifolium cultivars but not for intraspecific cultivars. In a replicated free-choice greenhouse test, subterranean clover, T. subterraneum L., was preferred significantly over other tested species, followed by crimson clover, T. incarnatum L.; arrow leaf clover, T. vesiculosum Savi; red clover, T. pretense L.; kura clover, T. ambiguum Bieb.; white clover, T. repens L.; and ball clover, T. nigrescens Viv. All Trifolium species were susceptible to feeding by fungus gnat larvae; we have also observed the death of 20 white clover seedlings by as few as six fungus gnat larvae. Fungus gnats may pose a serious threat to cool-season pasture legumes. Field surveys and population studies are needed to determine the importance of fungus gnat feeding in reducing the pasture persistence of cool- and warm-season forage legumes.

Document Type: Research article

Publication date: 1993-10-01

More about this publication?

• Journal of Economic Entomology is published bimonthly in February, April, June, August, October, and December. The journal publishes articles on the economic significance of insects and is divided into the following sections: apiculture & social insects; arthropods in relation to plant disease; forum; insecticide resistance and resistance management; ecotoxicology; biological and microbial control; ecology and behavior; sampling and biostatistics; household and structural insects; medical entomology; molecular entomology; veterinary entomology; forest entomology; horticultural entomology; field and forage crops, and small grains; stored-product; commodity treatment and quarantine entomology; and plant resistance. In addition to research papers, Journal of Economic Entomology publishes Letters to the Editor, interpretive articles in a Forum section, Short Communications, Rapid Communications, and Book Reviews.
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