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Wheat Midge Infestations
Growers and crop consultants in the high risk areas should be monitoring any fields in the boot to early flowering stages to assess the need for chemical management of the midge to reduce the risk of economic losses.
The orange wheat blossom midge is a small orange fly, 1/8 inch long. The midge has two jet black eyes that dominate its small brown head. Its legs are large relative to the insect's body size. The wings of the midge are oval shaped, transparent and fringed with fine hairs.
During the day the midge stays within the canopy of the crop. In the evening or when it is overcast, the female midges actively seek out susceptible wheat plants to lay their eggs on. Wheat is most susceptible as the heads emerge from the boot.
Field scouting for the wheat midge should be scheduled during the evening hours of 9 p.m. until the temperature drops below 59 F or when wind speeds are greater than 6 mph. At this time the midge will easily be found laying eggs on wheat heads. Count the number of midge found on four to five wheat heads from three to four different locations in the field. An insecticide application is recommended when the crop is heading and there is at least one adult midge on every four to five wheat heads. Wheat yields will be reduced by about 15 percent if this level of midge infestation is not controlled.
When scouting fields, do not confuse another small fly that is common in wheat and other crops. This fly is similar in appearance to fruit flies and is yellowish-brown, with a more rounded, plumper body that is slightly larger than the midge. These flies are common in fields during the day. When disturbed, they fly above the canopy of the crop. When resting on the plant, they sit with their head pointed toward the ground. In contrast, the midge rests on the plant with its head pointing skyward.
Fields that are beyond the flowering stage can be inspected for presence of the yellowish-orange maggots feeding on the developing wheat kernels.
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