Influence of selected host plants on the biology of Liriomyza trifolii (Diptera: Agromyzidae)

Chrysanthemum, celery and tomato were evaluated as hosts for Liriomyza trifolii (Burgess). The pattern for oviposition and feeding punctures throughout female life was similar on all host; both parameters peaked between days 4 and 8. The ratio of fertility to feeding punctures, calculated per female or per female per day, demonstrated that the order of host plant suitability was chrysanthemum, celery, and tomato. This ratio was equivalent to using viable eggs or feeding punctures as a measure of host plant suitability.