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Orange Wheat Blossom Midge
The adult midge is active from late June to early August. Peak activity is from early to mid July. A model using daily temperatures to calculate degree day accumulations allows for a more accurate prediction of local adult emergence. Wheat is attractive for egg laying by midge from the time the head emerges from the boot through flowering. Insecticides for the control of midge are effective on the adult and impact the egg stage; however, control of the orange larvae, which feed on the developing kernels, has not been demonstrated due to protection within the glume.
Thresholds for wheat:
Examine wheat heads at dusk (9 p.m. and later when temperatures are above 60 F and wind speed is less than 6 mph). The orange colored adult midge can be seen laying eggs on the wheat heads. Plants are susceptible as the head emerges from the boot. In general, if 1 or more midge are observed for every 4 or 5 heads, treatment is warranted. Treatments after 50% of the first heads have flowered are not recommended due to reduced levels of efficacy and for the protection of a parasitic wasp that attracts the midge eggs.
Detecting adult midge:
Sticky traps may be used to capture adult midges active in wheat fields. A simple trap design would be a white Styrofoam plate, attached to the top and bottom of a surveyors flag. The trapping surface can be coated with Tanglefoot� or vegetable oil. The trap can alert an individual to the presence of midge and their identity, but it does not provide information about the need to treat.
Degree Days for Predicting Midge Activity
Daily temperatures influence the development rate of wheat midge. By monitoring temperatures, it can be determined when wheat midge begin to emerge, and then estimate peak activity and reduced activity with a high degree of reliability . Read the section regarding degree days for more information.
Recommended Insecticide
| Lorsban 4E-SG 0.5 lb/acre | Treat when 75% of the wheat heads have emerged from the boot. Apply product in the late afternoon in a minimum of 2 gallons of water per acre. (Issued as Special Local Needs ND-950006) |
For more information see the Insect Guide at http://www.ext.nodak.edu/extpubs/plantsci/pests/e1143w1.htm
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