APPLE LEAF MIDGE

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Title: APPLE LEAF MIDGE
Description: LATIN NAME: Dasineura mali (Keif.) LIFE CYCLE: This pest overwinters as larvae in the soil beneath host trees. Adults emerge from mid to late April. A second generation of adults appears in late June into July. A third generation may be produced when conditions are suitable. The pupal stage lasts 2-3 weeks and larval stage 3-4 weeks. MONITORING: There is no monitoring method aside from close inspection of leaves for the distinctive curling. Yellow sticky cards staked under host trees have not proven useful. Plastic pails coated on the inside with a sticky material and inverted over soil beneath host trees may be useful for detecting presence and emergence of adults. HOSTS: Apple. COMMENTS: Apple leaf midge larvae look identical to predaceous midge larvae that feed on aphids. Apple leaf midge feed on the upper surface of leaves, causing the edges to roll tightly inwards and turn slightly reddish-purple. The feeding action of aphids on the undersides of leaves causes leaves to turn downwards and inwards. BODY LENGTH: Adult - 2.0 mm; Mature larva - 2.0-3.0 mm.