Hektar

Plant fly (Delia platura Meig.)

Plant fly (Delia platura), No. adult generations/year: 2–3 generations, Overwintering mode: overwinters in shallow soil, incubation period lasts 18–25 days, larval development lasts 15–20 days, and pupal stage 8–10 days.

Biology, Ecology, and Mode of Attack

• Each female lays 50–60 eggs.
• The eggs incubate for 18–25 days, followed by a larval development period of 15–20 days and a pupal stage lasting 8–10 days.
• The larvae are polyphagous miners that damage plants after germination by attacking stems, cotyledons, and growth meristems, where they create rust-colored galleries.
• The first generation of larvae is the most destructive.
• Delia platura is more prevalent in years with cool, wet springs and summers, particularly in soils high in organic matter and those fertilized with manure.

Prevention and Control Measures

• Conduct autumn plowing and repeated harrowing.
• Practice crop rotation.
• Sow as early as possible to ensure seed germination before the first larvae hatch.
• Apply manure in winter so that pupae are exposed to frost and destroyed.

Control Measures

• Apply a Lambda-cyhalothrin-based product, such as Trika Expert, at a dose of 10–15 kg/ha to the soil during sowing for cucumber and melon crops.
• Trika Expert, a synthetic pyrethroid insecticide, acts by contact and ingestion, providing quick action and a repellent effect. It is formulated with an organo-mineral base, containing organic humic support, 7% nitrogen, and 35% phosphorus.