After harvest, larvae enter an overwintering diapause in cocoons within damaged or trashed florets.The first generation of midge is typically in Johnson Grass. Midge found in spider webs is a sign that they are active.
Female midge are visible in and around flowering heads.
Midge adults only live for one day and most egg lays occur in the morning.
Changes in weather can bring midge into fields (from Johnson grass or early sorghum crops) at any time of day.
Infestation is evident by white pupal cases that stick out of the tips of glumes.
A short lifecycle (2-4 weeks) allows many generations per season and enables rapid build-up of very high midge densities especially where flowering period of sorghum is extended by successive plantings.
Damage:
Feeding creates a depression in developing seeds and prevents seed kernel development.
High populations can completely destroy the crop.
The progeny of each egg-laying adult can destroy 1.4 gm of grain.
Monitoring
Midge numbers can vary widely both within a crop and between plants. Thorough sampling is critical to estimate midge abundance.
Count adult midge on flowering heads at about mid-morning (peak midge activity generally occurs between 9 and 11 am). Look for midge over 10 metres of row in at least 4 locations
Look for the orange-red abdomen of the midge female, which distinguishes it from parasitoid wasps that may also be present.
Monitor very closely for midge numbers every day during head emergence and flowering. It is easy to underestimate midge numbers.
Look for movement of the small red flies against the top half of mid flowering panicle. On windy days you may have to hold each head still and shelter the panicle with your body. Alternatively, beat heads into a bucket and count the number of midge dislodged per head.
Previous midge activity can be evident by the presence of pupal cases sticking out of affected glumes
Beneficials
Three small black wasp parasitoids play a role in the control of sorghum midge: Eupelmus sp., Tetrastichus sp. and Aprostocetus sp.
In later crops these wasps may be present in high numbers and mistaken for midge. Although they may play a role in suppressing midge populations, these parasitoids are not effective in preventing midge damage to crops when midge pressure is high.
Cultural control
Resistant hybrids are the mainstay of midge control. Since 1993, all commercial sorghum hybrids have been assigned official midge resistant (MR) ratings from 1-7. A 7-rated hybrid sustains 7 times less damage than a susceptible hybrid (rated 1). In 2002, a new ‘open-ended’ rating of 8+ was added. Trials have shown that some 8+ hybrids contain levels of resistance that approach ‘practical field immunity’. Midge resistant hybrids provide increased flexibility that allows for late season crops when midge pressure is high, and offer benefits in seasons when crop uniformity is affected and crops have an extended flowering. Other options include:
Early planting
Remove alternative hosts
Cultural practices to ensure even flowering
Thresholds
Threshold levels vary with resistance level of the hybrids and other factors such as commodity price and cost of insecticide. Thresholds can be calculated using the factor of 1.4 gm of grain destroyed for each egg-laying adult. On susceptible hybrids the level is usually about one adult per head. For specific costs of control, midge rating and crop price refer to the online midge threshold calculator at the beatsheet
Pesticides
Sorghum midge control may require insecticide applications during flowering:
in late planted crops which flower when midge pressure is high or
in crops where flowering is staggered and heads are susceptible to midge over a period of weeks.
Midge control can, in some seasons be combined with NPV for helicoverpa or when controlling Rutherglen bug. Do not delay midge control to try and combine treatments as the window for effective midge control is small.
After treating midge also monitor for potential outbreaks of other pests.
Synthetic pyrethroids (SPs) also kill beneficial insects that otherwise contribute to the control of other pests (e.g. helicoverpa and aphids). Application of SPs will also incidentally expose helicoverpa, and contribute to selecting for pyrethroid-resistant individuals in the population.
Consider pupae busting the crop if helicoverpa larvae were present after mid March to reduce carry-over of an insecticide‐resistant population.
Transport of grain containing diapausing larvae is believed to be the main method of spread. Movement of sorghum into Western Australia is presently restricted.
Communication
Area wide coordination of management methods is useful, particularly variety selection, adjusting planting dates, weed control, monitoring techniques, and spray management plans.
Industry publications provide up to date information about regional pest issues.
