SASKATOON — Prairie farmers are warned not to grow wheat in areas infected by wheat midge or they may have a total crop failure, said a Saskatchewan government specialist.
Lloyd Harris said wheat midge can reduce yields between 50 and 100 percent.
Wheat midge is not a new pest, but the moist conditions of the past year have intensified its numbers. The midge has been a significant problem in Saskatchewan since 1983. It was first identified in northeastern Saskatchewan around Tisdale, Nipiwan and Carrot River.
Wheat midges prefer moist conditions and areas where farmers grow wheat on wheat on wheat on wheat, said Harris.
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The pest is also expected to be a problem throughout Manitoba, said government entomologist Andy Kolach, of Carman.
Some suffered extreme damage
Although the Manitoba agriculture department did not do extensive surveys last year, wheat midge damage was “fairly consistent” everywhere with some areas having very high levels of damage, he said.
“There is a great potential for the insect to be a problem throughout many parts of Manitoba.”
Farmers can grow wheat in the infested area if they are prepared to spend $10 per acre on insecticide. The insecticide is very effective if it’s sprayed in the specific four to seven-day stage of growth.
“You can’t wait till next week to spray,” said Harris.
Check at sunset
The only way farmers can tell if wheat midge is a problem is to monitor their field at sunset. The mosquito-like fly is a bright orange to a salmon pink color. It only comes out about 15 minutes before sunset to half an hour after sunset.
“It works the evening or midnight shift,” he said.
Farmers must watch their crop from the time the head starts to emerge until it reaches the 75 percent flowering stage. If there is one midge for every four to five wheat heads, then they must spray.
“If you’re not prepared to do that then expect to take a reduced yield or plant something else,” Harris said.
Wheat midge isn’t recognized as a problem in Alberta, said Mike Dolinski, head of the ag department’s entomology section. There have been no reports of the midge, he said.
