Abstract:
Liriomyza sativae Blanchard is a serious insect pest in the Batticaloa district of Sri Lanka,
which attack a numerous vegetable crops and ornamental plants. However, no studies were
conducted in the Batticaloa district on their host range. Four hundred and fifty farmer fields
were randomly selected from 17 Agricultural Instructor divisions in the Batticaloa district for
this survey. From the commencement of cultivation field visiting and observations were
carried out in each farmer field and their adjoining area to observe the host range of L.
sativae.
Fifteen vegetable, three wild and one ornamental plant were recorded as host plants of L.
sativae in the Batticaloa district. Chrysanthemum was the most preferred host of L. sativae.
The protein content of host plant does not influence in host selection in L. sativae. Among the
vegetable crops, Okra, Brinjal and Sword bean were infested by L. sativae during their
seedling stage. No infestation was observed in mature plants.