A diurnal Rhythm in the Emergence of Pegomyia Betae Curtis from the Puparium

Extract

There is a clear diurnal rhythm in the emergence of the Beet Fly, Pegomyia betae (Curt.), from the soil, peak emergence occurring daily between 06. and 07. hr., when the soil temperature at a depth of 2 in. and the air temperature are at about their minimum, or are just beginning to rise, and humidity is at its maximum. In two observations on the emergence of the first generation, 82·2 and 85·6 per cent, of the daily emergence occurred before 08. hr., whilst in two observations on the emergence of the adults of the non-diapausing part of the second generation, 79·1 and 76·3 per cent, of the daily emergence occurred before 08. hr.

During the period of emergence of flies from a batch of puparia, the rhythm was most marked at the time of peak emergence, and was less marked at the beginning and end of the emergence period.

The rhythm of emergence was much less pronounced, and the peak occurred later in the day, when puparia were kept at constant temperature from two days before the first flies emerged.

Experiments led to the conclusion that the fly reaches the soil surface within one hour of leaving the puparium at a depth of 2 in. in soil, and that the processes of wing expansion and cuticle tanning are probably controlled by a nervous mechanism.

The possible initiators of the diurnal rhythm are discussed. It is concluded that the results obtained could be explained by the suggestion that the rhythm is induced by the effect of temperature or light fluctuation at some time before the late pupal stage, or that it might be inborn in the species, and that it is further regulated by temperature variation at the time of emergence. Further work will be necessary before the suggested explanation can be shown to be valid or otherwise.