First record of the Liriomyza blechi Spencer (Diptera: Agromyzidae) on maize (Zea mays L.)

doi:10.21203/rs.3.rs-4970358/v1

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First record of the Liriomyza blechi Spencer (Diptera: Agromyzidae) on maize (Zea mays L.)

https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-4970358/v1

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This study reports the first record of Liriomyza blechi Spencer on maize (Zea mays L.). The notification occurred in the State of Goiás, Brazil, being also the second state to record the presence of the species in Brazil. Morphologically, L. blechi is characterized by a yellow scutum with bands and spots, a yellow scutellum, the presence of two small setae in the posteromedial region of the middle tibia, and a long seta at the apex of the cerci. The identification was confirmed through the morphological analysis of the male genitalia. The mines caused by L. blechi larvae in maize leaves can have irregular shapes and affect the photosynthetic area of the plant. Therefore, this record demonstrates the need for further studies on the bioecology and management of this species, aiming to minimize potential damage to the crop and implement effective control strategies when necessary.

Fly

Leaf-miner

Poaceae

Neotropics

Plant Protection

Integrated Pest Management

The genus Liriomyza Mik (Diptera: Phytomyzinae) is one of the largest genera of Agromyzidae, with around 450 species described worldwide (Lonsdale & von Tschirnhaus 2021). It holds significant economic importance, as some of the major economically important species of Agromyzidae are found within this genus. (Costa-Lima et al. 2015).

Liriomyza blechi Spencer is a leaf-miner species with occurrence exclusively in the Americas, with records in Guadeloupe, Dominican Republic, Martinique, United States of America, Brazil, Canada, Bermuda, Bolivia, and Dominica (Carvalho-Filho et al 2016; Lonsdale 2021). In Brazil, the first record of the species occurred in 2016 in the state of Pará, feeding on Blechum pyramidatum and Spigelia anthelmia (Carvalho-Filho et al 2016).

L. blechi is a polyphagous species that feeds on plants of diverse families, such as Acanthaceae, Boraginaceae, Loganiaceae, Gentianaceae, Phrymaceae, Plantaginaceae, Poaceae e Verbenaceae (Lonsdale 2021). Within the Poaceae family, the genera Digitaria, Panicum, and Paspalum are reported as host plants (Lonsdale 2021; Spencer 1990). According to Lonsdale (2017), records on Digitaria are possibly incidental associations of adults.

This species is characterized by eye with shortly and sparsely hairs; very shiny and yellow scutum, with dark medial stripe on anterior 2/3, one pair of lateral presutural spots and one pair of postsutural bifid stripes; a yellow scutellum, two small setae on the posteromedial region of the middle tibia, and a long seta at the apex of the cerci. (Eiseman & Owen 2018; Lonsdale 2017, 2021; Monteiro et al 2019) (Fig. 1a-b).

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Additionally, the larval stage exhibits unusual spiracles, and the adult male genitalia is quite distinctive (Spencer 1990). The leaf mines caused by L. blechi larvae may have irregular shapes and may or may not be associated with leaf veins. Within the mines, the insect develops from the larval to the pupal stage, with the pupa having a brown color and the anterior spiracles projecting outward from the leaf epidermis (Eiseman & Owen 2018) (Fig. 2a-b). This study presents the first record of the species attacking maize plants.

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Specimens were collected on June 7, 2023, in the State of Goiás, in the experimental areas of the Agronomy School of the Universidade Federal de Goiás, in Goiânia, present in maize (16°35'54.2"S and 49°17'33.2"W) (Fig. 3a-b).

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Leaf fragments containing larval and pupal stages were collected and stored in transparent plastic bags until adult emergence. Specimens were sent to the Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi (MPEG), Belém, Pará, Brazil, for identification and were subsequently deposited in the collection.

Male genitalia were prepared by removing the abdomens, clearing them in heated lactic acid at 270°C for 6 minutes, dissecting them with the aid of microneedles, and transferring them to slides with glycerin for microscopic analysis.

The analysis of external morphology was essential to confirm the identification of specimens as L. blechi, mainly the coloration pattern, external morphology (chaetotaxy, wing venation pattern) and structures of the morphology of the male genitalia (Fig. 4a-b).

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The leaves of the host plants attacked by L. blechi presented whitish linear mines present along the entire leaf surface. Larval frass was found along the mines, in a scarce and scattered manner. Only one larva was observed per mine, but more than one mine was observed per leaf.

Pupation occurs inside the mine, with only the posterior spiracles positioned outside the mines. All specimens collected reached adulthood, and no mortality or parasitism was observed. The main injury observed was due to larval action with the formation of mines in the maize leaves.

The main damages caused by leaf-miners are associated with injuries inflicted during larval feeding, reducing the plant's photosynthetic area and serving as an easy penetration for pathogens (Rosseto & Mendonça 1968). However, different species may attack different plant parts such as stems, seeds, roots, and flower buds, potentially causing borers and galls (Spencer 1973). In ornamental plants, mines diminish their market value due to aesthetic damage. (Costa-Lima et al. 2015).

In Brazil, these insects have great economic importance in melon (Cucumis melo L.), onion (Allium cepa L.), lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) (Costa-Lima et al. 2015). Until now, 13 species of Agromyzidae have been documented as leaf miners in maize crops (Benavent-Corai et al. 2005). In Mexico, the species Liriomyza marginalis has also been reported attacking maize crops, forming linear mines (occasionally irregular) and parallel to the leaf veins (Escoboza et al. 2016).

Therefore, correct identification with specific studies of the occurring species in agricultural crops is essential for understanding the insect-plant relationship, monitoring, and establishing control levels, balance, and economic damage, so that appropriate control tactics can be used when necessary, following the principles of Integrated Pest Management.

Funding and Conflict of Interest

No funding was received for conducting this study. The authors declare no competing interests.

Author contributions

Kerolainy R. Ferreira – Writing, formatting, and collection; Nilton J. S. Monteiro – Writing, specimen dissection, and identification; Lucas G. Santos – Writing and specimen shipment.

Acknowledgments

Researchers from iNaturalist contributed, directly or indirectly, in this work.

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You are reading this latest preprint version

First record of the Liriomyza blechi Spencer (Diptera: Agromyzidae) on maize (Zea mays L.)

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