Abstract
In May 1964, an inspector of the Moji Plant Protection Station of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry at Sasebo, Kyushu, found a number of maggots infesting radishes from America. It was learnt that the maggots could not survive at room temperature then. Consequently, a series of flies were obtained after the maggots had been reared in a refrigerator at about 5°C. The insect was supposed to belong to the genus Hylemya, but we failed to obtain positive identification of the species.
In 1967, Mr. A. C. Pontoof the British Museum (Natural History) examined the insect and determined it as Hylenzya brassicas (Bouché), which was confirmed by Mr. D.M. Ackland of Hope Department of Zoology, University of Oxford.
Hylemya brassicae, known as the cabbage maggot in economic literature, is a serious pest of cabbage, cauliflower, radish, and other plants of Cruciferae. The maggot is of European origin, but now widespread over North America as a result of the casual introduction in the 19th century. It is not likely that the maggot can succeed in establishing itself in greater parts of this country, largely due to its low hot-hardiness. Some areas in Hokkaido and the mountainous areas in Hnoshu may harbour the maggot, should it be introduced directly into those areas. The author is indebted to Mr. A.C. Pont of the British Museum, Mr. D.M. Ackland of Hope Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, for identifying the fly.
