Canola
Guides
Athrycia
Athrycia is a genus of tachinid flies (Diptera: Tachinidae) in the tribe Voriini. The genus contains at least five described species, with Athrycia cinerea being the most thoroughly studied. Species in this genus are larval parasitoids of Lepidoptera, with documented host associations primarily involving noctuid moths. The genus has been recorded from the Palearctic region (Denmark, Norway, Sweden) and Nearctic region (Canada).
Athrycia cinerea
Athrycia cinerea is a univoltine tachinid fly parasitoid native to North America, primarily associated with the bertha armyworm (Mamestra configurata) in Canadian rapeseed fields. Females oviposit on third through sixth instar host larvae, with parasite larvae typically developing gregariously and maturing on fifth and sixth instars. The species exhibits temperature-dependent pupal diapause, which is usually prevented at 25°C but occurs at 20°C.
Brassicogethes aeneus
common pollen beetle, rape pollen beetle, rape blossom beetle
Brassicogethes aeneus is a small pollen beetle in the family Nitidulidae and a major pest of oilseed rape (canola) and other Brassica crops across Europe, Northern Asia, and North America. Adults are 2–3 mm long, metallic black with greenish reflections, while larvae reach 3 mm and are white with brown sclerotized plates. The species causes significant economic damage through adult feeding and oviposition in flower buds, which can lead to bud abortion and yield losses up to 80% in spring oilseed rape. It was previously classified under the genus Meligethes. Populations show low genetic structure across Europe, indicating substantial gene flow, and are subject to biological control by hymenopteran parasitoids.