Southeastern Apple Production
ENTOMOLOGY
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Southeastern Apple ProductionENTOMOLOGY |
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Larvae of A. aphidimyza are slender, bright orange, and up to 1/8 inch long when fully grown. Adults are long-legged, brown flies about 1/10 inch long. Eggs are very small (0.1 mm to 0.3 mm), oval, and orange.
 Midge larva (center) with green apple aphids |
 Midge larvae with green apple aphids |
Midges overwinter as larvae, pupating and emerging as adults by late spring. Mated adult females lay up to 70 eggs within aphid colonies. Eggs hatch within 2 to 4 days and larvae begin feeding on aphids. There are several generations per year.
Midge larvae feed on Green apple and spirea aphids. One individual will consume anywhere from seven to several dozen aphids and may actually kill many more. Larvae disable their prey's legs and then suck out the body contents.
Insect and Mite Management Overview
Insect and Mite Index
Southeastern Apple Production
Mountain
Horticultural Crops Research & Extension
Center
455 Research Drive
Mills River, NC 28759
Phone: 828.684.3562 ~ Fax: 828.684.8715
Email: jim_walgenbach@ncsu.edu
Web Crafters: Anne S. Napier and
Steve Schoof
Email:
steve_schoof@ncsu.edu
Updated March 26, 2007