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Alyssa L. Lucas
Graduate Research Assistant, Division of Plant Sciences, University of Missouri

Justin McMechan
Assistant Professor, Entomology Department, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Kevin B. Rice
Assistant Professor, Division of Plant Sciences, University of Missouri

Soybean gall midge (Resseliella maxima) is a newly described insect species that attacks soybean creating severe economic damage. Isolated sightings were first reported in Nebraska during 2011. Soybean gall midge is currently established in 114 counties throughout South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska and Missouri (Figure 1).

Map showing areas in the five states in which soybean gall midge is established.
Figure 1. Soybean gall midge infestations as of September 2020. (Justin McMechan/soybeangallmidge.org)

Life cycle and identification

Females lay eggs at the base of soybean plants and after hatching, larvae enter stems. Early instars are less than an 1/8 inch (less than 3 mm) in size and are translucent or white in color (Figure 2). Late instars appear bright orange (Figure 3).

Soybean gall midge early instar larvae.
Figure 2. Early instar larvae. (Adam Varenhorst/SDSU)
Soybean gall midge late instar larvae.
Figure 3. Late instar larvae. (Just McMechan/University of Nebraska)
Adult female and male soybean gall midge.
Figure 4. Adult female and male soybean gall midge. (Mitchell Helton/Iowa State University)


Third instars exit stems and overwinter in the soil as silken cocoons that pupate in late spring. Adults emerge over several weeks, beginning in early to mid-June, with infestations being reported in late June. Adults are minute, ¼ inch (6 mm) slender-bodied flies (Figure 4). They are recognizable by black-and-white striping on the legs, orange abdomens, and mottled wings; however, adults are rarely observed in soybean fields. Current research suggests they have at least two generations per year in the Midwest.

Injury

Soybean stem showing signs of soybean gall midge infestation.
Figure 5. Darkened and swollen soybean stem resulting from soybean gall midge infestation. (Adam Varenhorst/SDSU)

Larvae feed beneath the soybean epidermis near the stem base causing necrosis and brittle tissue. Early signs of infestation include darkened/necrotic stem bases (Figure 5) followed by leaf wilting, typically occurring after V2 stage. Swollen outgrowths may be visible near the base of stems. High infestations cause stems to break near the base resulting in plant death at V5 (Figure 6). Plant injury is greatest at field edges.

Soybean field with severe injury from soybean gall midge infestation.
Figure 6. Soybean field with severe soybean gall midge infestation resulting in economic injury and plant death. (Justin McMechan/University of Nebraska)

Field scouting

Soybean gall midges under the skin of a soybean stem.
Figure 7. Soybean stem with removed epidermis revealing large soybean gall midge infestation. (Justin McMechan/University of Nebraska)

Scouting should concentrate in fields that are adjacent to a soybean field from the previous year. Early season scouting should focus on darkened and/or swollen stems at or near the base. Larvae presence can be confirmed by peeling back the epidermis of darkened stems (Figure 7). Later in the season wilting and/or dead plants may be present along field edges. Contact your local extension office to report infestations.

Management

To date, there are no research-based management recommendations to control soybean gall midge. Foliar insecticides and seed treatments fail to provide complete control of soybean gall midge due to multiple overlapping generations. Follow your local extension agency for management updates.

Publication No.

G7415