Integrated control of wheat blossom midge - HGCA

Fig. 5 S. mosellana pheromone trap catches at Sykes field, Boxworth, 31 May - 4 July 200218161412108pheromoneunbaited642031-May 7-Jun 14-Jun 20-Jun 27-Jun 4-JulThere was a good correlation between timing of midge flight and when wheat was at the susceptible growthstage at Rothamsted (Fig 4). At Boxworth (Fig 5) there appeared to be a more prolonged period of midgeflight activity continuing into the late anthesis growth stage when wheat would no longer be suitable forlarval survival. At both sites the high release vial captured approximately 15 male S. mosellana per trap perday during the peak of midge flight.3.1.3.2. 2003 Pheromone Trap ExperimentsThe S. mosellana sex pheromone, 2,7-nonanediyl dibutyrate, performed well, catching up to 50 male midgesper trap per night during the midge flight peak. Although a dose-response relationship was observed in termsof more male midges being caught with the 5mg loading than the 1mg loading, there was little differencebetween the 5mg and 10mg loadings (Expts. 1A and 1B; Fig 6 & 7). In fact, in Expt 1A slightly more midgeswere caught with the 5mg loading than the 10mg loading. In Expt 1B fewer males were caught with the 5mgloading but prediction of midge flight activity was not compromised. This means that cost could be reducedby using half the amount of material without affecting trap performance56