Hostname: page-component-7479d7b7d-qs9v7 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-07-12T12:46:38.202Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

X-ray detection of Contarinia sorghicola (Coq.) larvae and pupae in sorghum spikelets

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 July 2009

K. M. Harris
K. M. Harris
Affiliation:
Orchard Cottage, Wisley, Surrey, England
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Extract

A simple X-ray method for detecting sorghum midge (Contarinia sorghicola (Coq.)) larvae and pupae in infested spikelets of grain sorghum (Sorghum vulgare) is described and illustrated. Undamaged ovaries were easily and accurately detected in the radiographs, but the detection of spikelets that had been attacked by midge was less accurate. Diapause larvae showed up clearly in the radiographs but pupae often produced indistinct images, possibly because they were dead. X-ray examination therefore tended to underestimate midge infestation. It is concluded that this radiographic technique is less accurate than dissection, but might be used for rapid general field surveys and for in vivo observations of larval development within infested spikelets.

Type
Research Article
Information
Bulletin of Entomological Research , Volume 60 , Issue 3 , February 1971 , pp. 379 - 382
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1971

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Berryman, A. A. & Stark, R. W. (1962). Radiography in forest entomology.—Ann. ent Soc Am. 55, 456–466.Google Scholar
Bletchly, J. D. & Baldwin, W. J. (1962). Use of X-rays in studies of wood boring insects.—Wood 27, 485–488.Google Scholar
Bowden, J. (1965). Sorghum midge, Contarinia sorghicola (Coq.), and other causes of grainsorghum loss in Ghana.—Bull. ent. Res. 56, 169–189.Google Scholar
Giles, P. H. (1964). The insect infestation of sorghum stored in granaries in Northern Nigeria.—Bull. ent. Res. 55, 573–588.Google Scholar
Goodhue, R. D. & Van Emden, H. F. (1960). Detection of stem borers in Gramineae by X-rays.—Pl. Path. 9, 94.Google Scholar
Graham, H. M., Robertson, O. T. & Martin, D. F. (1964). Radiographic detection of pink bollworm larvae in cottonseed.—J. econ. Ent. 57, 419–420.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Harris, K. M. (1961). The sorghum midge, Contarinia sorghicola (Coq.), in Nigeria.—Bull.ent. Res. 52, 129–146.Google Scholar
Huddleston, E. W., Ashdown, D. & Maunder, B. (1963). Control of the sorghum midge, preliminary studies.—Rep. Tex. Tech. Coll. Agric. Ind. 4, no. 2.Google Scholar
Montoya, E. L. (1965). A squeeze device for detection of larvae of the sorghum midge, Contarinia sorghicola (Coquillett).—J. econ. Ent. 58, 938–940.Google Scholar
Pedersen, J. R. & Brown, R. A. (1960). X-ray microscope to study behaviour of internalinfesting grain insects.—J. econ. Ent. 53, 678–679.Google Scholar