G. J. Steck, P. M. Lyrene, and J. A. Payne
A gall midge, Dasineura oxycoccana (Johnson) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), is a recently discovered pest of rabbiteye blueberries (Vaccinium ashei Reade) in the southeastern US (Lyrene and Payne 1992). Midge larvae feed inside and destroy flower buds resulting in low yields. Midges also cause severe damage to vegetative growth. Plants cannot produce enough foliage to support a heavy fruit crop, resulting in smaller berries with low sugar. Some blueberry varieties have suffered a 100% crop loss due to depredations of this midge. The problem is most pronounced in southern portions of the rabbiteye blueberry production range where winter temperatures favor emergence of adult midges and larval development during critical stages of blueberry flower development. South of Gainesville, Florida, commercial rabbiteye blueberry production is not feasible if midges are left uncontrolled.
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