Observations on Rearing and Diapause Termination of Sitodiplosis mosellana (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) in the Laboratory

Sitodiplosis mosellana (Gehin) was reared through one complete generation in the laboratory. For the adult stage, avoidance of handling, maintenance of at least 60% RH, low night temperature, and the provision of wheat plants at the correct flowering stage were important to survival. For larvae, adequate moisture was essential to induce them to leave their ecdysial sheaths, to penetrate the soil before diapause, and to promote diapause development. Adult emergence ranged from 10.6 to 51.6%, and at least 112 d at 2°C was required for optimal emergence.