Vertical distribution of mines of Liriomyza sativae Blanchard, 1938 (Diptera: Agromyzidae) in leaves of the melon plant in commercial planting

Abstract

The leafminer fly Liriomyza sativae (Blanchard) is a polyphagous insect, whose larvae feed on the foliate parenchyma, causing financial damages to melon fields in Mossoró, Rio Grande do Norte State, Brazil. This study aimed to investigate the vertical distribution of L. sativae mines on leaves of melon. For that eleven leaves were randomly examined, starting from the leaf numbered as ten. Counting of the mines was performed weekly, in the morning at 21, 28, 35, 42, 49, 56, and 63 days after planting (DAP). A floating cover was used as means of pest control enabling the plants to be protected up to 24 DAP. The floating cover worked out as a physical barrier against infestation of  L. sativae during the first four weeks of seedling. Upon removal of the cover the number of mines per leaf along the branch increased a great deal. Under the present study conditions the leaf along the branch numbered as twelve may be used for the sampling of leaf damage caused by leafminer flies. Furthermore, that leaf shows clear on the branch facilitating its visualization.