Better forecasting for midge warning system

UK - May 03, 2006

This summer wheat growers will receive the most accurate advance warning of Orange Wheat Blossom midge attacks yet thanks to Dow AgroSciences’ PestWatch.  

The service has been revised to deliver a more accurate baseline forecast by sampling more sites than ever before in higher risk wheat-growing areas.   

Provisional results already show the risk of OWBM is slightly higher than 2005.  The first round of sampling shows populations greater than 10 midge/kg soil at 21% of sites, compared to 15% in 2005.  Half these sites showed populations greater than 20/kg.  

“The highest populations have been recorded in the Midlands, Hampshire and North Yorkshire,” says Dow AgroSciences’ technical specialist David Roberts.  “If conditions continue to favour pupation and adult emergence, these areas are at risk of potentially damaging populations of Orange Wheat Blossom midge.”  

Twenty-eight sites have been sampled by Dow AgroSciences and ADAS, with a mean OWBM population of 6.3/kg soil, by comparison means for 2005, 2004 and 2003 were 6.1, 18.1 and 7.9/kg soil respectively.  

No pupation has yet been recorded at any site and while soils remain dry, development into the pupal stages will be restricted.