Evaluation of Resistance of Cucumber Cultivars to the Vegetable Leafminer (Liriomyza sativae Blanchard) (Diptera: Agromyzidae) in Greenhouse

Abstract

The leafminer, Liriomyza sativae Blanchard, is distributed around the world and is an important pest of vegetables and ornamentals. Given the resistance potential of the leafminer to current insecticides, the use of resistant plant cultivars and parasitoids could be effective integrated pest management (IPM) strategies against it. Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) is a preferred host for this insect. Seventeen cultivars of cucumber have been evaluated to study resistance mechanisms to L. sativae. All cucumber cultivars were evaluated in screening tests in greenhouse with indices such as the number of leafminer stings, the number of larval mines, the proportion of larval mines to leafminer stings, and the rate of injury. Significant differences (p < 0.01) were found among cultivars, as well as significant correlations among all evaluated indices. Cucumber cultivars were ranked by the cluster method based on all measured characters and were classified into four groups: susceptible, semi-susceptible, semi-resistant, and resistant. Trials of antibiosis resistance of cucumber cultivars were conducted in a growth chamber and were evaluated with biological indices of insect activity including oviposition period, larval and pupal duration, percentage of larval and pupal mortality, and the sex ratio among selected cultivars. Significant differences were found for all indices except pupal weight and the sex ratio. The cultivars were analyzed by the cluster method based on all measured characters and were divided into three groups including sensitive, slightly resistant, and semi-resistant. No cultivar was immune to injury.

Genetic diversity and association analysis of leafminer (Liriomyza langei) resistance in spinach (Spinacia oleracea)

“…Use of host genetic resistance is an alternative strategy to chemical for leafminer management and resistant varieties were recognized as the most economical method to control leafminer in vegetables (Basij et al 2011). Evaluations of germplasm for leafminer resistance have been conducted in vegetables.…”

Review of Liriomyza huidobrensis (Diptera: Agromyzidae) on potatoes in South Africa, with special reference to biological control using entomopathogens and parasitoids

“…A leaf miner is defined as an insect that feeds within the leaf tissues for at least part of its life cycle (Hering 1951). During feeding the larvae form tunnels, or mines, which are feeding channels within the parenchyma (between the epidermal tissues) of infested leaves (Figure 1) (Hering 1951;Basij et al 2011). With the exception of oviposition sites, both the epidermis and the outer wall remain intact during larval development (Hering 1951;Weintraub et al 2017).…”

Sources and Inheritance of Leafminer Resistance in Yellow Melon Accessions

“…The use of host genetic resistance is recommended as an alternative strategy to the application of insecticide products, with resistant cultivars recognized as a more economical control method (BASIJ et al, 2011). Other advantages of this method include reduced damage to the environment, less technical knowledge on the part of the farmer to apply the method, and integration possibilities with other control methods (GIRÃO FILHO et al, 2012).…”