Stem borer (Diptera: Scathophagidae) in Maianthemum
| Record no.: | 0324 |
|---|---|
| Feeding guild: | Stem borer |
| Taxonomy: | Diptera: Scathophagidae: Plethochaeta varicolor |
| Stages observed: | trace, larva, puparium, adult |
| Distribution observed: | IA |
| Hosts in Maianthemum: | undetermined M. sp. (Solomon's plume) |
The larva of this borer tunnels in the late-season, senescing stem of the host, finishing up and pupating near frost (one individual I observed was still a larva as of October 3, and by October 16 it had finally formed its puparium).
I reared adults in spring 2022 from overwintered puparia.
The host is a Maianthemum that has not yet been identified to species, either M. racemosum or M. stellatum. Species-level identification of the fly is courtesy B. Sinclair (pers. comm., via C. Eiseman, January 2024).
This fly is one of my favorite stem-boring insects.
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Coll. 10/03/21, photos of larva and stem damage on 10/04/21 (01-07), puparium formed by 10/16/21, photos of puparium on 10/17/21 (08-12), photo of maturing pupa in puparium on 03/21/22 (13), adult em. 03/23/22, photo of adult on 03/27/22 (18); coll. 11/05/21, adult em. 03/13/22, photos of adult on 03/13/22 (14-15) and 03/20/22 (16-17, 19).
Page created: November 19, 2023. Last update: March 20, 2026