Sources of Infestation, Biology, Damage by and control of Megaselia Rufipes Meigen (Diptera: Phoridae) on oil Palm Seeds

Abstract

A study was carried out to identify sources of infestation by the Megaselia rufipes Meigen (Diptera: Phoridae) on some germinated oil palm seeds in the Seed Production facilities of the CSIR-Oil Palm Research Institute. The study also covered the identification of the pest, some aspects of the biology, cost of damage and control. It was observed that the sources of infestation was from poor sorting of seeds including broken and dead seeds mixed up with healthy seeds which were sent to the Germinator house from the Seed-store for initiation of germination process. Such unhealthy, poor quality seeds undergo fermentation during post-heating soaking process, emitting attractant(s). Adult flies which had hatched out in the Germinator room responded to the attractant(s) when such poor quality seeds were exposed in the open for air-drying. The flies’ activities caused damage to seeds including rotten kennels and seeds, empty shells and dead developing embryos in transparent polyethylene storage bags. The highest infestation was on 2052 seeds out of a total production of 582,503 germinated seeds in batch number 5 and the lowest was 223 seeds out of 241,089 seeds in batch number 6. Fermenting seeds among healthy germinating seeds in improper sealed/ broken storage polyethylene bags attracted adult flies which gained access to the seeds through holes. The fly was identified as Megaselia rufipes Meigen (Diptera: Phoridae). Its pupal duration was found to be 9-10 days. Bioassay results showed that the fly could be controlled effectively by dipping the seeds in Fenitrothion insecticide.

Keywords: fly, insect pest, Megaselia rufipes, oil palm seed, infestation