Host Selection of Liriomyza Species (Diptera: Agromyzidae) and Associated Parasites in Adjacent Plantings of Tomato and Celery

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Abstract
Host preferences of Liriomyza species leafminers and their associated parasites were determined from adjacent plantings of celery and tomatoes during 1981 and 1982 in Orange County, Calif. Liriomyza sativae Blanchard was the predominant leafminer species reared from tomatoes in 1981 and 1982. Moderate densities of L. sativae were found in celery on two sampling dates in 1981, but L. sativae did not migrate to celery in 1982, even after tomato plants senesced. Liriomyza trifolii (Burgess) demonstrated a significant preference for celery in 1981 and 1982, although density increased in tomatoes in 1982. Chrysocharis parksi Crawford and Diglyphus begini (Ashmead) were the most numerous parasites reared from Liriomyza species infesting tomatoes: D. begini predominated initially, but C. parksi was prevalent from midseason to late season. D. begini and D. intermedius (Girault) were the most common parasites reared from celery, with D. intermedius demonstrating the greatest host-habitat specificity. Niche selection of the key parasite species is discussed.