2nd Place: Corn silk fly (Diptera: Ulidiidae) distribution across crop and weedy habitats on a research farm in Florida

Picture-winged flies (Diptera: Ulidiidae), referred to as corn silk flies in Florida, are major insect pests of sweet corn in the region. Three species, Euxesta stigmatias, Euxesta eluta, and Chaetopsis massyla cause the damage. Adults of the three species lay eggs on sweet corn silks, resulting in maggots feeding on developing kernels. Corn silk flies are managed using frequent insecticides applications targeting adults. However, adults quickly reinfest treated fields. Therefore, areas adjacent to sweet corn fields play a key role in harboring corn silk flies. Corn silk fly sampling was conducted in spring 2021 and 2022 at the UF/IFAS Everglades Research and Education Center (UF/IFAS EREC) in Belle Glade, Florida to better understand the contribution of crop and non-crop habitats to corn silk fly infestations. Habitats on the research farm include sweet corn, mature and young sugarcane, rice, and non-crop woody or weedy habitats covering approximately 258 ha. Sampling was conducted at 154 sampling locations following a grid pattern with inter-location distances of 90-115 m. At each location, one Multilure trap baited with ammonium acetate and 1,4-dimethoxybenzene was deployed for four weeks. Corn silk fly adults captured in the traps were collected weekly, identified to species, and counted. Corn silk fly adult distribution and spatial associations across habitats at the UF/IFAS EREC will be discussed.