An Ecological Basis for the Suppression of Hippelates Eye Gnats1

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Abstract
Hippelates eye gnats breed in friable soils containing adequate moisture and ample quantities or decaying plant material. Since irrigation is essential for crop production, only the two other requisites for eye gnat breeding are subject to management. The primary requisite for intensive breeding or eye gnats is the availability of decaying plant material in the soil. A secondary requisite site is tillage of the breeding grounds to induce increased oviposition by the gnats and to make the plant material available as food for the larvae. Studies on the management of these two factors within the scope of current farming practices produced promising results. Elimination of weed stands by herbicidal treatments resulted in almost complete absence of eye gnat breeding. Weed destruction by frequent tillage also produced a marked reduction in eye gnat breeding, but the decrease was not as great as in the herbicidal treatment. Non-incorporation or weeds into the soil also resulted in greatly reduced gnat breeding. In fact, this practice was as effective as weed elimination by frequent tillage. These cultural or source-reduction measures provide effective means for suppressing Hippelates eye gnats in certain parts or California. Relief from hordes of eye guats can be materialized if this ecological or cultural approach is supplemented by other control measures.

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