Research on Azpeytia shirakii in Yichang, Hubei

Key Words：Azpeytia shirakii, injurious features, pest density, injurious rate, Gastrodia elata

Abstract：       In order to safeguard the safe production and economic benefit of Gastrodia elata Bl., and provide scientific direction for the prevention and control of its pests, we studied the adverse effects of a new pest of this plant, Azpeytia shirakii Hurkmans (Diptera: Syrphidae). The damage caused by different densities of A. shirakii was studied in both continually cropped and non\|continually cropped fields. The results show that A. shirakii larva enter the new growing tips of G. elata rhizomes; the damaged exterior of the resultant wormholes could be easily observed. We found 1-3 bands of 5-8 mm diameter worm-tracts in rhizomes. Larval density was 38- 50 individuals per m². The proportion of damaged plants exceeded 20% but differed (P < 0.01) between continually cropped and non-continually cropped fields. Some suggestions for the prevention and control of A. shirakii are provided.