Morphological characteristics, distribution, damage, prevention and control of a new invasive orchid pest:Contarinia maculipennis Felt (Diptera:Cecidomyiidae)

ObjectiveMorphological characteristics, distribution and damage characteristics of a new invasive orchid pest Contarinia maculipennis Felt (Diptera:Cecidomyiidae) were studied to provide references for its control and prevention.MethodDamage characteristics of Contarinia maculipennis were observed in the field. Contarinia maculipennis samples were collected to grow indoors and their morphological characteristics were observed under stereoscopic microscope and anatomical lens.ResultContarinia maculipennis female adult body length was 1.2-1.7 mm, while male adult was relatively small. Com-pound eye consisted of ten facets was in vertex. The fore wing with 1.2-1.5 mm was translucent. Underwings were specialized as halteres. The needle apex of male aedeagus extended outwards exceeding subanal plate. Female ovipositor was long, and its length was longer than half abdominal. Aging larva was as long as 2.2 mm, and presented maggot shape with white to yellow-ish. Oval pupa was obtect pupa with length of 1.2 mm. There were 10 families and 22 species of host plants of recorded Con-tarinia maculipennis. The known affected areas of Contarinia maculipennis were China (Taiwan), Thailand, Singapore, Philippines, Japan, Cambodia, Vietnam, the United States and Australia. Male Contarinia maculipennis normally laid eggs on tender buds of plant top, which made the buds deform, discolor and fade. Consequently, the buds fell off instead of blooming naturally.SuggestionQuarantine and control measures should be strengthened in the invaded regions to avoid the pest spread to other cities and provinces in our country. In the invaded regions, agricultural, physical and chemical measures should be adopted to control population density and avoid further invasion.