Developmental and life history characteristics of the oyster mushroom fly, coboldia fuscipes (Diptera: Scatopsidae)

Abstract

This study was aimed to elucidate the developmental and life history characteristics of Coboldia fuscipes (Diptera: Scatopsidae) which causes serious damage to the oyster mushroom, Pleurotus ostreatus, in Korea. The average number of eggs oviposited by a single female was 282. Eggs are usually laid in a mass on the spawn. The total life span was 44.8, 34.4, 24.5 and 18.9 days in males and 43.2, 33.3, 24.1 and 17.9 days in females at 18, 21, 25 and 28°C, respectively. The developmental zero temperatures (t0) for each stage were estimated from the regression lines as follows: 11.6°C for eggs, 11.5°C for larvae, 9.2°C in male pupae, and 8.8°C in female pupae. The required heat units were 38 degree-days for egg development, 180 for larval development, 66 for male pupal development, and 67 for female pupal development. The developmental threshold based on the total pre-emergence period was 11.6°C for males and 11.1°C for females, and the required heat units were 277 and 283 degree-days for males and females, respectively.