• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.77-82
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• 1997

This study was carried out to investigate the developmental characteristics and life cycle of sciarid fly (Lycoriella sp.), an important mushroom pest. The sciarid fly was reared ina growth chamber at 21$\pm$$1^{\circ}C$ and 55$\pm$5% of relative humidity with a 16h high, 8h dark cycle and Flammulina velutipes was used at diet. The egg was oval with 0.17 mm in diameter and 0.27 mm in length. Average egg period was 4 days. Body length of each instar from the 1st to 3rd was 0.7, 1.5, and 4.5, mm. respectively. Average weight of each instar was 1.9, 15.4 and 93.6 $\mu\textrm{g}$, respectively. In the 4th instar larvae, however, developmental characteristics of female and male became different by body length, weight and segment size. Body length and weight of the 4th instar female larvae were 5 mm and 162$\mu\textrm{g}$, and those of the male larvae were 3.5 mm and 90 $\mu\textrm{g}$, respectively. The larval periods of female and male were respectively 13.5 and13 days. Pupal length of female and male was 3.5 and 2.7 mm, and average weight was 136 $\mu\textrm{g}$ and 6.5$\mu\textrm{g}$, respectively. Adults were emerged from female and male pupae on 5.5 and on 5 days after pupation, respectively. Average longevity of male and female were 7 and 5 days, respectively. The weight of female was two-fold heavier than the male. After copulation, female laid approximately 130 to 150 eggs on/in the sporophore of mushroom. In conclusion, total lifespan of male and female were 29 and 28 days, respectively.