Targeted control of the saddle gall midge, Haplodiplosis marginata (von Roser) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), and the benefits of good control of this pest to winter wheat yield

Abstract

Background: Since 2010 there has been a resurgence of the saddle gall midge, Haplodiplosis marginata (von Roser), in Belgium and several other European countries, with this pest sometimes causing severe damage in cereals. In 2012 and 2013, field trials were conducted in heavily infested fields to assess its impact on winter wheat crops and to determine efficient ways of dealing with severe infestations.

Results: Crop exposure to H. marginata varied with the different protection methods tried. These methods included 1-4 successive applications of lambda-cyhalothrin. Yield losses were significant, reaching 6% in 2012 and as high as 15% in 2013, and these losses were linearly related to the number of galls on stems.

Conclusion: The trials showed that insecticide applications needed to be synchronised with H. marginata flight peaks and to target the egg hatching period. They also revealed that insecticides applied to coincide with the first flight could, in humid conditions, also reach the larvae close to the soil surface, prior to their pupation.

Keywords: Haplodiplosis marginata; insecticide treatment; lambda-cyhalothrin; pest harmfulness; saddle gall midge; winter wheat; yield losses.