The wheat midge is a serious pest that significantly impacts wheat production, particularly in the winter wheat-growing regions of the Huanghuai Basin, located between 31° and 35° north latitude. This pest primarily affects wheat, barley, and other cereal crops. The larvae feed on the developing grains by sucking out the sap, leading to empty or shriveled kernels and causing substantial yield losses.
**Symptoms of Damage**
The wheat midge infestation typically begins when the larvae, also known as flower worms, feed on the flowers, seeds, or grains of the wheat plant. They hide inside the husks and extract the sap from the grain during its milk stage, resulting in deformed pods and empty shells, which greatly reduces the quality and quantity of the harvest.
**Life Habits**
The wheat red-sucking midge becomes active when wheat starts heading in the following spring. Adults emerge in sync with the heading period, showing a strong preference for light and a tendency to remain dormant for extended periods. Some populations can remain dormant for up to 12 years, making it challenging to predict and manage infestations effectively.
**Control Methods**
**1. Agricultural Control**
- **Resistant Varieties**: Planting insect-resistant wheat varieties tailored to local conditions can significantly reduce midge damage.
- **Cultural Practices**: Adjust crop layouts, implement crop rotation, avoid continuous wheat planting, and plow fields promptly after harvest to disrupt the life cycle of the midge.
**2. Biological Control**
- **Natural Enemies**: Several natural predators help control midge populations. Parasitic wasps, such as *Aphidius* species, are effective against midge larvae, with high parasitism rates under natural conditions. Protecting these beneficial insects is crucial.
- **Predators**: Ants, spiders, earwigs, and six-spotted lady beetles are known to prey on midge larvae, adults, and eggs, contributing to biological control efforts.
**3. Chemical Control**
- **Soil Treatment**: During the flooding season, soil treatments like Isazophos are recommended. Apply 50% phoxim or 40% methylisothionin EC to create poisoned soil. Spraying should be done evenly after 4 p.m.
- **Adult Control**: In addition to soil treatments, dusting and spraying are effective methods. During the heading and flowering stages, combine midge control with aphid management by applying insecticides such as dimethoate, phoxim, deltamethrin, or cypermethrin through foliar sprays.
By integrating these strategies, farmers can better manage midge infestations and protect their wheat yields. Regular monitoring and timely intervention are key to successful control.
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