Atherigona

Rondani, 1856

Shoot Flies

Species Guides

Atherigona reversura(Bermudagrass Stem Maggot)

Atherigona is a of muscid flies containing approximately 299 recognized . Many species are economically significant agricultural pests, particularly in cereal . Larvae of numerous species are known as shoot flies, attacking the seedlings and stems of rice, maize, sorghum, wheat, and various millets. The genus has a broad geographic distribution spanning Africa, Asia, Europe, and Australasia, with concentrated in tropical and subtropical grassland .

Atherigona by (c) portioid, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by portioid. Used under a CC-BY license.

Atherigona by (c) Katja Schulz, some rights reserved (CC BY). Used under a CC-BY license.

Atherigona reversura P1280608a by
xpda. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Atherigona: //ˌæθəˈrɪɡənə//

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Images

Habitat

Grasslands and derived grassland areas. In forested regions, are restricted to open grassland patches and derived grasslands. Absent from areas lacking suitable grassland , such as dense forest zones without open vegetation.

Distribution

Africa: Nigeria (Northern and Southern Guinea Savanna Zones, Mambilla Plateau, Obudu), Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Morocco, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zaire; Asia: Bangladesh, Burma, China, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Israel, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey; Europe: Italy; Australasia and Pacific Islands: Australia, Bonin Islands, Caroline Islands, Irian Jaya, New Hebrides, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga, Volcano Islands.

Human Relevance

Larvae of multiple are serious agricultural pests. Atherigona oryzae (rice shoot fly) attacks rice, maize, wheat, and wild grasses. Atherigona soccata (sorghum shoot fly) damages sorghum, rice, wheat, maize, and millets. Atherigona orientalis affects tomato and pepper. Atherigona naqvii and A. punctata attack wheat. Atherigona reversura damages bermudagrass turf. Several species are subject to regulations due to their potential and economic impact on cereal production.