Effects of Methoprene and Permethrin on Paedogenetic Larvae of <I>Heteropeza pygmaea</I> and <I>Mycophila speyeri</I> (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae)

Abstract

The effects of methoprene and permethrin on larvae of Heteropeza pygmaea Winnertz and Mycophila speyeri (Barnes), two Cecidomyiid species of paedogenetic insect mushroom pest, were investigated in sterile culture at concentrations of 0.1-100 micrograms/g. The two highest concentrations of permethrin caused complete mortality of M. speyeri but only low mortality of H. pygmaea. The main sublethal effects of permethrin on both species were reduced fecundity and reduced mother-larval width. Methoprene had only sublethal effects on both species. At all doses, methoprene caused an increase in H. pygmaea generation time but a reduction in hemipupal width and fecundity according to dosage. The effects on M. speyeri were similar but more severe.