Garden symphylans
Systematic position: The family Scutigerellidae belongs to the class Symphyla, which are small, myriapod-like arthropods often referred to as garden symphylans. They are characterized by a soft, white body and 12 pairs of legs in adult stages. Due to their subterranean nature, they remain elusive to casual inspection of the crop canopy.
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Garden symphylans
Damaged crops: Symphylans are polyphagous pests that affect a wide range of agricultural and horticultural crops. Their primary targets include vegetable seedlings, potatoes, sugar beets, strawberries, and ornamental flowers. They are particularly devastating in greenhouses and nursery environments where moisture is consistently maintained.
Biology and life cycle: These pests spend their entire life cycle in the soil. They are highly dependent on soil moisture and oxygen, which drives their vertical movement in the soil profile. They thrive in rich, organic, and well-structured soils. Their development is slow, and they continue to molt throughout their lives, even after reaching sexual maturity.
Damage and harmfulness: The primary damage occurs when symphylans feed on root hairs and fine rootlets, as well as germinating seeds. This feeding disrupts the plant's nutrient uptake, causing stunted growth, wilting, and reduced yields. The wounds left by their feeding also provide entry points for soil-borne pathogens, such as fungi and bacteria, leading to rot.
Protection measures: Effective management requires an integrated approach:
- Frequent cultivation and tillage to disrupt their galleries and expose them to surface predators or drying conditions.
- Crop rotation with non-host plants to reduce population density.
- Use of registered soil-applied insecticides during the planting phase.
- Maintaining optimal soil drainage, as high moisture levels encourage symphylan activity.