pest: bud fly
- Subject: [sibrob] pest: bud fly
- From: D* W*
- Date: Tue, 12 Jun 2001 22:07:19 -0400
The iris bud fly that people are speaking about is likely Orthacheta
dissimilis. Despite much effort, I have not figured the life cycle out as
yet, and spraying with a systemic insecticide is the only way to minimize
the damage in my garden. I have observed this pest in both native iris
versicolor and garden-grown siberian iris. The damage is almost always the
same. As the bud reaches maturity, a fly deposits a few eggs on the tip.
the larvae hatch out of these and work downward so as the flower opens,
chewed repoductive parts are revealed. Sometimes the standards are
obviously damaged as well. Up to three 1cm larvae can be found working
their way towards the ovary. Unfortunately, I don't know where they go from
here to grow and hatch into flies again.
The damage caused by these larvae is identical as to that found in the
garden of Jean-Marc Boileau and elsewhere in the Ottawa, Ontario/Hull,
Quebec area, so I am certain this one insect has a very broad range.
Andrew wheeler
Colrain MA
z 4/5
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