CHRYSANTHEMUM GALL MIDGE
Michael Coulter 2013 Year Book
For the first time for a number of years I have had many requests about the Chrysanthemum gall midge (Diarthronomyia chrysanthemi) which has infested growers plants this season, why I am not sure. We do not see this pest here at the nursery and do not see it as a problem so here is some ideas as to how to get rid of this insect.
Gall midge lays its eggs inside the leaves where a maggot develops causing a pimple like growth which disfigures the plant. Once the grub has pupated the adult emerges from the leaf to mate and lay more eggs to start the next generation. Numbers of adults are usually low in the spring with numbers building up through summer so at flowering plants can be very disfigured and spoilt.
What to do. At the end of the flowering season cut all the green leaves and any infected parts of the plants off the stool and destroy them as the midge only over winters on green parts of the plant above the ground. When the new shoots start to emerge through the ground spray them with systemic insecticides such as Confidor, Diazinon or Orthene. Do this as a regular part of your early season spray programme alternating sprays to ensure all other pest and diseases are also controlled and you will not have any problem with this pest.
Good plant hygiene at the end of each season and the use of the right insecticides will ensure that you will not have a problem with this pest which only attacks Chrysanthemums.
For the first time for a number of years I have had many requests about the Chrysanthemum gall midge (Diarthronomyia chrysanthemi) which has infested growers plants this season, why I am not sure. We do not see this pest here at the nursery and do not see it as a problem so here is some ideas as to how to get rid of this insect.
Gall midge lays its eggs inside the leaves where a maggot develops causing a pimple like growth which disfigures the plant. Once the grub has pupated the adult emerges from the leaf to mate and lay more eggs to start the next generation. Numbers of adults are usually low in the spring with numbers building up through summer so at flowering plants can be very disfigured and spoilt.
What to do. At the end of the flowering season cut all the green leaves and any infected parts of the plants off the stool and destroy them as the midge only over winters on green parts of the plant above the ground. When the new shoots start to emerge through the ground spray them with systemic insecticides such as Confidor, Diazinon or Orthene. Do this as a regular part of your early season spray programme alternating sprays to ensure all other pest and diseases are also controlled and you will not have any problem with this pest.
Good plant hygiene at the end of each season and the use of the right insecticides will ensure that you will not have a problem with this pest which only attacks Chrysanthemums.