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THE TURNIP MUD BEETLES ( HELOPHORUS RUGOSUS OL. AND HELOPHORUS PORCULUS BEDEL.)
Author(s) -
PETHERBRIDGE F. R.
Publication year - 1928
Publication title -
annals of applied biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.677
H-Index - 80
eISSN - 1744-7348
pISSN - 0003-4746
DOI - 10.1111/j.1744-7348.1928.tb07783.x
Subject(s) - biology , pupa , larva , sowing , white (mutation) , horticulture , bulb , botany , biochemistry , gene
Summary. Helophorus rugosus Ol. and Helophorus porculus Bedel, have caused serious damage to late sown white turnips in several cases in the east of England during the last few years. A case in which the growing points of white turnips (planted out for seed growing) were eaten out by the larvae is recorded. Swedes and rape are damaged by these pests but not to the same extent as white turnips. Kale and cabbages are only slightly damaged. Lettuces were seriously damaged in Surrey in 1924. One case of an attack on beans by H. rugosus was also noticed. Most of the damage is caused by the larvae which gnaw or tunnel into the “bulb” of the turnip as well as feeding on the developing leaves. The adults also feed on the leaves. Eggs are probably laid in August and the larvae live from August until April or May. Pupation takes place in April or May and pupae live about three weeks. Adults were found from May until the following March. Descriptions of the larval, pupal and adult stages are given. Late sowing and frequent cruciferous crops appear to predispose plants to attacks.