Intraspecific Competition among Larvae of Liriomyza trifolii (Diptera: Agromyzidae): Effects on Colony Production

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Abstract
Standardized chrysanthemum plants, Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat, were exposed to selected numbers of ovipositing adult female Liriomyza trifolii (Burgess) (Diptera: Agromyzidae) to analyze thc effects of intraspecific competition on the survivorship of larvae and quality of emergent adults. The effect of intraspecific competition on the ratio of emergent pupae to newly eclosed larvae (P:L ratio) and pupal size was determined. Pupal size was found to be a positive indicator of longevity and oviposition of adults. The P:L ratio was inversely related to intraspecific competition and ranged from 0 (severe competition) to 1.0 (no competition). Smaller pupae were obtained from plants with low P:L ratios. A maximum of 30 larvae could complete development in a standardized chrysanthemum plant without adversely affecting the P:L ratio.

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