Research on the Biological Properties of Scatella Tenuicosta Bennison in Seedling Production

This paper systematically described the biological properties of Scatella tenuicosta for the first time. The experiment result indicated that when temperature was set 20 °C from 7 am to 19 pm and 16 °C from 19 pm to 7 am, rhythmically across light day and dark night with 90% relative humidity, the development process of Scatella tenuicosta was as follows, egg period 2.8±0.7 d, larvae period 15.7±1.9 d, pupa period 4.5±1.5 d. The lifetime of adult male generally lasted 4 d or 5 d, the adult female 14-17 d, the longest even up to 22 days, including 14 day-long oviposition period. During the growth period of watermelon grafted seedlings (December to next March), 1 or 2 generations of Scatella tenuicosta would harm the seedlings, and 5 or 6 generations throughout the whole year. Besides, high temperature and drying environment would be conducive to the occurrence and threatening of the Scatella tenuicosta.

Review of the subgenus Scatella Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830 from China (Diptera: Ephydridae)

The species of the subgenus Scatella Robineau-Desvoidy from China are reviewed. One species, Scatella tenuicosta Collin, is recorded from China for the first time, and one species, Scatella henanensis sp. nov., is described. A key to the species from China is given. The distribution of the subgenus in China is discussed.