Orange Wheat Blossom Midge (Larva stage)
Scientific Name: Sitodiplosis mosellana
Order & Family: Order: Diptera; Family: Cecidomyiidae
Size: 2 mm to 3 mm
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.
Identified on: 1/12/2026