|
|
Southeastern Apple ProductionENTOMOLOGY |
 |
Midges
Aphidoletes aphidimyza
Description
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 |
Life History
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.
Predation
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 |
Updated March 26, 2007