The movement and dispersal of Liriomyza trifolii (Diptera: Agromyzidae) in a chrysanthemum greenhouse

SUMMARY Investigation of the dispersal of Liriomyza trifolii in a 1–2 ha chrysanthemum greenhouse indicated that the average distance flown by female flies was greater than that flown by male flies. However, flies of both sexes were found at the furthest distance from the release point (102 m) which indicates that flies in the greenhouse could be considered to be a single inter‐breeding population. When the data were fitted to a generalised distance‐dispersal model, examination of the parameters revealed density decreased with distance more rapidly for males than females. Also, the model showed that males tended to be slightly more attracted to each other than were females. The applicability of these results to the development of pest management systems for L. trifolii is discussed.