Bug Identifier
Orange Wheat Blossom Midge (Larva stage)
Community identification

Orange Wheat Blossom Midge (Larva stage)

Sitodiplosis mosellana

Order & Family
Order: Diptera; Family: Cecidomyiidae
Size
2 mm to 3 mm
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Mainly wheat fields and other cereal crop environments

Diet & Feeding

Feed on developing kernels of wheat, rye, and barley

Behavior Patterns

Emerges as larvae in summer and feeds on wheat heads before dropping to the soil to overwinter in cocoons.

Risks & Benefits

Major agricultural pest that can cause significant yield loss and grain quality reduction in cereal crops.