Studies of British Anthomyiid Flies

Abstract

A study of the immature stages of the Anthomyiid flies, Delia cilicrura, D. trichodactyla, Erioischia brassicae, E. floralis and Pegohylemyia fugax, associated with injury to cruciferous crops, has shown that the several species can be distinguished. The egg stage can be identified by the sculpturing of the chorion, except in the case of the closely related species E. brassicae and E. floralis where the sculpturing is similar but there is a considerable difference in size.The larvae can be distinguished by differences in the shape and character of the head and in its relation to the prothorax, and in the form of the mouth-parts in the three instars. The number of finger-like processes of the anterior spiracles and the number and arrangement of the tubercles of the eighth abdominal segment also contribute to the identification of the larvae.