Submitted to: Entomology Society America Annual Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: May 5, 2003
Publication Date: September 8, 2003
Citation: Campbell, L.G. Host plant resistance to sugar beet root maggot. Entomology Society America Annual Meeting. October 26-29, 2003. Abstr #713. Technical Abstract: Sugar beet root maggot (Tetanops myopaeformis Röder) is a serious pest of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) in much of North America. If the root maggot were to develop resistance to the few insecticides currently used or these insecticides became unavailable because of environmental concerns, sugar beet production in some areas would be threatened. Host plant resistance to the root maggot would provide an alternative control method and has some advantages even if the insecticides continue to be effective. Currently, selection for root maggot resistance is dependent upon natural infestations at sites where root maggot populations are usually high. A 0 = no damage to 9= severe damage rating scale has been developed to assess damage and evaluate lines in a breeding program. Two resistant germplasms have been developed and are available for use by commercial sugar beet breeders and two globe-shaped red beet lines appear to have resistance. Immunity to sugar beet root maggot feeding has not been found.