Bananas.org - View Single Post - Question about Fungus Gnats: Do they really eat the inside of seeds?

bigdog · 02-16-2008, 01:50 PM

I can't find any literature on them eating the endosperm of seeds, although I do know that they will eat young roots of seedlings. Can anybody show me some literature that proves that these little pests actually do eat endosperm? I don't see how the larvae could penetrate the seed coat, seeing as how thick it is. Even if the micropylar plug is gone, the inner integument is still there. I suppose it's possible that they could eat through it and get to the inside of the seed. If you've ever seen the larvae, they aren't exactly small in relation to a Musa seed though.

02-16-2008, 01:50 PM	#1 (permalink)
bigdog Title-less bigdog's Photo Gallery Location: Knoxville, TN Find me on the map! Zone: 7a Name: Frank Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 1,494 BananaBucks : 8,407 Feedback: 5 / 100% Thanks: 82 Thanked 417 Times in 171 Posts Welcomes: 93	Question about Fungus Gnats: Do they really eat the inside of seeds? I can't find any literature on them eating the endosperm of seeds, although I do know that they will eat young roots of seedlings. Can anybody show me some literature that proves that these little pests actually do eat endosperm? I don't see how the larvae could penetrate the seed coat, seeing as how thick it is. Even if the micropylar plug is gone, the inner integument is still there. I suppose it's possible that they could eat through it and get to the inside of the seed. If you've ever seen the larvae, they aren't exactly small in relation to a Musa seed though.