Host plant nutrient contents influence nutrient contents in Bradysia cellarum and Bradysia impatiens

Abstract

The chive maggot Bradysia cellarum and the fungus gnat B. impatiens are two primary root pests of plants, which can coexist on the same host plants and are the devastating pests on liliaceous crops and edible fungi. Their growth and development are affected by the nutrient contents of their host plants. In this study, we assessed the effects of different host plant nutrients on the nutrient contents of these two Bradysia species. The nutrients of the chive (Allium tuberosum Rottl. ex Spreng.), board bean (Vicia faba L.), lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. var. ramosa Hort.), cabbage (Brassica oleracea L.), wild cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata rubra) and pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) roots were determined, and their effect on nutrient content of the two Bradysia species after feeding on the host plant for three continuous generations were evaluated. The results show that chive and B-bean contained higher levels of protein, free amino acid, soluble sugar and starch than others. As a result, the soluble sugar, fat and protein contents were significantly higher in both Bradysia species reared on chive and B-bean than on cabbage, lettuce, W-cabbage and pepper, suggesting nutritional preference of these insects. Based on our results, we concluded that the two Bradysia species displayed nutrient preference toward chive and B-bean, which provides a reference for understanding their host plant range and for control of the insect species via field crop rotations.

Effects of Different Parts of the Rose Flower on the Development, Fecundity, and Life Parameters of Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae)

“…Cao et al [ 36 ] found that there was a significant positive correlation between the development rate of WFT and the soluble protein content of plant flowers. Gou et al [ 37 ] found that Bradysia cellarum and B. impatiens displayed nutrient preference toward chives, and broad bean contained higher levels of protein, free amino acid, and soluble sugar and starch than other plants. Our findings were consistent with those of previous studies, suggesting that flowers play a key role in higher survival rates, shorter development, and higher fecundity, which leads to an increase in population at the flowering stage and affects the seasonal dynamics of the rose plant [ 26 , 38 ].…”

Artificial Diet Influences Population Growth of the Root Maggot Bradysia impatiens (Diptera: Sciaridae)

“…The larvae of B. impatiens inhabit various groups of plant and fungi, for instance, Chinese chive, oyster mushroom and cucumber ( Zhang et al 2008 , Liu et al 2015b , Sueyoshi and Yoshimatse 2019 , Gou et al 2020 b). The current experiments were designed to assess how the three main host plants and VC affect B. impatiens population growth by replacing Chinese chive and oyster mushroom with cucumber, or by reducing the amount of Chinese chive, oyster mushroom, and cucumber, or by increasing VC supplement.…”

Responses of Fungi Maggot (Bradysia impatiens Johannsen) to Allyl Isothiocyanate and High CO2

“…Bradysia impatiens Johannsen is an economic important pest globally, which survives on mushrooms, chives, ornamental plants, and humus ( Johannsen, 1912 ; Menzel et al, 2003 ; Santos et al, 2012 ; Gou et al, 2019 ). The larvae feed on the roots, stems, leaves, flowers, and even the whole seedling of host plants ( Gou et al, 2020a ; Gou et al, 2020b ). B. impatiens was first reported on mushrooms in China ( Shen et al, 2009 ).…”