Insect Management
Rice Insect Management
Rice Seed Midges
Order Diptera (flies), Family Chironomidae.
Occasional Pests
Description
Adults midges resemble mosquitoes, but the mouthparts are underdeveloped and
adults lack scales on the wing margins and wing veins. Larvae are distinctly
segmented and have a nonretractable head with opposable mandibles).
Life Cycle (General midge life cycle)
Adults prefer to deposit eggs on open water. Masses of eggs are deposited in
strings held together by a sticky mucus-like material that forms a protective
gelatinous envelope around the eggs. Eggs hatch in 1 to 2 days. The larvae use
silk and bits of mud and debris to build tubes on the soil surface. Larval
development is completed in 7 to 10 days. Pupation occurs underwater in the
tubes. Adults emerge in 2 to 3 days.
Damage and Symptoms
Serious damage to rice is limited to germinating seeds and very young
seedlings in water-seeded rice. Larvae feed by chewing on the embryo, root
shoot, and emerging plant. Larvae are often found inside the seed.
Scouting and Thresholds
Water-seeded fields should be checked for midge infestation and damage
starting 3 to 5 days after seeding. Checks should be made for midge larvae and
tubes, damaged seed and damaged roots and plants. Fields should be checked for
midge damage until the plants are about 2 to 2.5 cm (1 inch) in length. The
number of viable seed per square foot and whether larvae are present, or the
number of plants per square foot are used to determine if a field needs to be
reseeded or drained.
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