Does The Leaf Mining Fly (Phytoliriomyza Jacarandae)
Research Question: Does the Leaf Mining Fly (Phytoliriomyza jacarandae) have an effect on a single species of tree that is indigenous to South Africa or does it only affect the alien invasive Jacaranda tree (Jacaranda mimosifolia)
Hypothesis: It is expected that the Leaf Mining Fly (Phytoliriomyza jacarandae) has an effect on at least one species of tree indigenous to South Africa.
Aim: To determine whether the Leaf Mining Fly (Phytoliriomyza jacarandae) has an effect on any single species of tree indigenous to South Africa.
Data Collection Plan:
The data being collected will be the presence of brown scabs and faint feeding scars created by the larvae of Leaf Mining Flies on the leaves of 15 different common species of trees, indigenous to …show more content…
This led to the conclusion that the Leaf Mining fly would be an effective bio control agent. This study contradicts the patterns shown in South Africa as there has been little effect on the Jacaranda tree by the Leaf Mining Fly. Bella, Mazzeo and Suss(1978) also examined the behaviour and life cycle of the Leaf Mining Fly on the Jacaranda tree. They studied the relationship between the two species and found that the Leaf Mining Fly is dependent on the Jacaranda tree for recourses such as food and safety and that the relationship was parasitic in that only the Leaf Mining Fly benefits from the relationship and the Jacaranda tree is harmed. They also noted that the Leaf Mining Fly is not solely dependent on the Jacaranda tree and that the parasite had the ability to survive on other species of trees. This suggests that a possible reason for the increase in population of the Leaf Mining Fly with no decrease in the population of Jacaranda trees in South Africa is due to a movement of the parasitic fly to another species of tree. This study will focus on determining whether this is a possibility and if the Leaf Mining Fly is effecting any specific species that are indigenous to South Africa. If so, it will be necessary to control
Hypothesis: It is expected that the Leaf Mining Fly (Phytoliriomyza jacarandae) has an effect on at least one species of tree indigenous to South Africa.
Aim: To determine whether the Leaf Mining Fly (Phytoliriomyza jacarandae) has an effect on any single species of tree indigenous to South Africa.
Data Collection Plan:
The data being collected will be the presence of brown scabs and faint feeding scars created by the larvae of Leaf Mining Flies on the leaves of 15 different common species of trees, indigenous to …show more content…
This led to the conclusion that the Leaf Mining fly would be an effective bio control agent. This study contradicts the patterns shown in South Africa as there has been little effect on the Jacaranda tree by the Leaf Mining Fly. Bella, Mazzeo and Suss(1978) also examined the behaviour and life cycle of the Leaf Mining Fly on the Jacaranda tree. They studied the relationship between the two species and found that the Leaf Mining Fly is dependent on the Jacaranda tree for recourses such as food and safety and that the relationship was parasitic in that only the Leaf Mining Fly benefits from the relationship and the Jacaranda tree is harmed. They also noted that the Leaf Mining Fly is not solely dependent on the Jacaranda tree and that the parasite had the ability to survive on other species of trees. This suggests that a possible reason for the increase in population of the Leaf Mining Fly with no decrease in the population of Jacaranda trees in South Africa is due to a movement of the parasitic fly to another species of tree. This study will focus on determining whether this is a possibility and if the Leaf Mining Fly is effecting any specific species that are indigenous to South Africa. If so, it will be necessary to control