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 Wheat Blossom Midge

 

 

 

   

 

           
    

 

 

 

WHEAT BLOSSOM MIDGE

 

Soil sampling to establish baseline populations of Wheat Blossom midge is done in April. Representative samples are taken from the key wheat growing areas of England and analysed for the total number of Wheat Blossom midge present. The data also reports the life cycle stage of the midge detected. During baseline sampling most midges are still in the overwintering cocoon stage.

 

Further soil samples are taken during May and June. The purpose of these samples is to monitor progression through life cycle stages. Suitable weather conditions together with a higher proportion of midge present as pupae in the soil indicate an emergence of adults is imminent. As the situation, and hence potential risk, can change very quickly Pestwatch reports are issued as they are needed throughout May and June.

 
     

 

Wheat Blossom Midge

19th June 2012

 

The warm, still evenings of Sunday 17th and Monday 18th June have resulted in reports of OWBM adults at threshold levels in Louth and Holbeach, Lincolnshire and in Cambridgeshire.

 

With the short-term forecast being favourable for OWBM flight monitor crops at susceptible growth stages closely. Later winter wheats and spring wheat may still be at susceptible growth stages.

 

Action:

The economic risk is highest in crops intended for seed or milling. This is reflected in the lower threshold of one Orange Wheat Blossom midge per 6 ears. The threshold for feed wheat is one midge per 3 ears.

 

Be prepared to apply Dursban* WG at 0.6 kg/ha in 200 to 1000 litres of water per hectare if thresholds are met or exceeded.

 

Spray between ear emergence and the start of flowering (GS 51-59) to control developing larvae. If justified treatment should commence once the majority of ears have emerged. Ears not emerged at the time of treatment will not be protected.

 

Dursban WG is a very effective insecticide. Benefits include the ability to give:

• High knockdown of adult midges


• Effective activity of 7 -10 days to control further flights of adults


• Effective activity and vapour action to control larvae emerging from eggs laid by the first flight of adults

 

Equity* also has recommendations for Orange Wheat Blossom midge.

 

Learn more about Dursban WG.

Learn more about Equity.
  

 
Comply with the SAY NO TO DRIFT guidelines for chlorpyrifos including adopting a 20 metre no-spray buffer zone beside watercourses (1 metre dry ditches) and using LERAP three star low-drift nozzles.

 

 

For further information contact the Dow AgroSciences Hotline – 0800 689 8899 or email UKHotline@dow.com 


Use plant protection products safely. Always read the label and product information before use. For further information including warning phrases and symbols refer to label.

Dursban and Equity are trademarks of Dow AgroSciences LLC. All other brand names are trademarks of other manufacturers for which proprietary rights may exist.

Dursban WG contains chlorpyrifos. Equity contains chlorpyrifos.

 

 

 

*©™Trademark of Dow AgroSciences LLC

Dow AgroSciences Ltd, Latchmore Court, Brand Street, Hitchin, Hertfordshire, SG5 1NH
Website: www.dowagro.com/uk                  Hotline: 0800 689 8899

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