The Canadian Entomologist (2005) 137, 163-168

D.G. Biron, D. Coderre, S. Fournet, J.P. Nénon, J. Le Lannic and G. Boivin (2005)
Larval respiratory systems of two anthomyiid flies, Delia radicum and Delia antiqua (Diptera: Anthomyiidae)
The Canadian Entomologist 137 (2), 163-168
Abstract: The first-instar larvae of Delia radicum (L.) and Delia antiqua (Meigen) enter host plants to feed in galleries. These galleries can be filled by a liquid resulting from the putrefaction of the host. In this study, we show that D. radicum and D. antiqua larvae have a metapneustic respiratory system in the first instar and an amphipneustic respiratory system in the second instar, as observed in the majority of cyclorrhaphous Diptera. In addition, we observed four spatulate, ramified structures on the postabdominal spiracles in all three larval instars. We propose that these structures facilitate gas exchange (CO₂ and O₂), especially in the first-instar larvae when they feed in liquid-filled galleries.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): David G. Biron, Sylvain Fournet, Guy Boivin

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
general biology - morphology - evolution

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Delia radicum
	Delia antiqua