Look Now For Apple Midge

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31831, 8 November 1968, Page 8

Look Now For Apple Midge

An inspection of apple trees now may reveal the presconce of the apple leaf curling midge, a pest which hRs become very prevalent in the last few years.

No apple variety is Immune and the degree of

susceptibility and infestation appears to be determined by the quantity of terminal growth present. Again, there does not appear to be varietal preference by this pest. It is the larvae of these midges, of which there are several generations during the season, which cause the damage. They are maggot like, large enough to be easily seen with the naked eye.

white but more usually bright orange, and feed by rasping and sucking. During the early stages of infestation, the feeding larvae cause the leaves to become tightly rolled and they assume a reddish colour, rather reminiscent of peach leaf curl. Eventually these Infested leaves become hard and brittle and brown to black in colour. They ultimately become extremely ragged in appearance. If the folded leaves are unfurled the larvae can be found inside. Although it has been mentioned that there are several generations of midges it has been found that the

most severe infestations occur during the second and third generation of the midge, at a time when most trees are making maximum growth, between November and December. It Is therefore at this period when control is most important The recommended material to use is carbaryl and it is advisable to repeat the application after two weeks. As with many other pests, some control Is achieved with an insect parasite. However, the parasite is rarely present during the second generation of the midge. There is also a pear leaf curling midge, the host of which is the pear only.