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As part of Pestwatch and in order to support farmers and agronomists in improving understanding of this pest, Dow AgroSciences together with the HGCA have commissioned ADAS to monitor the development of Saddle Gall Midge in wheat this spring. Two continuous winter wheat sites in Buckinghamshire with a history of Saddle Gall Midge have already shown some level of this pest, with one site having over 15.4 million larvae per hectare and the other 10.7 million larvae per hectare. Information can be accessed at http://www.dowagro.com/uk/cereal/pest.htm .

Will Corrigan of Dow AgroSciences explains that Saddle Gall Midge (Haplodiplosis marginata) can affect wheat, barley and, to a lesser extent, oats.  “Most reports last year were in wheat, where in some areas it severely affected yield. Pestwatch is looking at the life cycle of this pest to improve understanding of its biology. We would value any contributions from the field. So if agronomists see any mobile bright reddy-orange larvae in the soil now, please let us know either via UKHotline@dow.com or via Twitter @DOWAGROUK. Already some reports have been received from Essex, Suffolk and Lincolnshire this spring. You may also find them in couch grass and rye-grass, which act as alternative hosts.”

Will points out that there are no approved insecticides treatments with recommendations specifically for the control of Saddle Gall Midge. Dow AgroSciences is pleased to lend its experience to and be associated with the initiative to find a solution to this troublesome pest.

It appears that the Saddle Gall Midge life cycle is one generation per year. Adult midges are up to 5mm long and reddy brown in colour and are most obvious from April to mid-June. Field experience suggests that adults may have several flights over a number of weeks. Female midges lay eggs in clusters along the veins on upper leaf surfaces. The larvae hatch and move down within the leaf sheath and puncture a stem node, causing characteristic transverse swellings. Once larvae reach 5 mm in length, normally 6-8 days, they fall to the ground and burrow to a depth of 10 cms, entering diapause. They can survive in the soil for over a year. In the spring the larvae break diapause, become mobile and move to the soil surface bed fore pupating and emerging as adults, completing the cycle.

For further information, please contact Dow Technical Hotline on 0800 689 8899 or Will Corrigan, Dow AgroSciences on 01462 457272.