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Soybean gall midge in Minnesota soybean

Identification of soybean gall midge (Resseliella maxima)

soybean gall midge adult
Figure 1. Adult soybean gall midges are small, slender flies. The body color, wing and leg patterns are key characteristics. Photo: Noah Stavnes, U of MN

Adults (Figure 1)

  • Tiny (2-3 mm long), delicate flies with slender bodies
  • Mottled wings
  • Long legs banded with an alternating light and dark color pattern
  • Orange abdomen
gall midge large in soybean stem
Figure 2. Soybean gall midge larvae are small white- to orange-colored maggots. Photo: Bruce Potter, U of MN

Larvae (Figure 2)

  • Small legless, maggot-like larvae
  • Clear to white-colored when young turning bright orange as they mature

Natural history

Entomologists are just beginning to understand soybean gall midge biology. The larvae are believed to overwinter inside cocoons in the soil of infested fields with pupation and adult emergence occurring in the spring. Adults begin to emerge in June. Emergence of adults is prolonged and can extend into July. Although reproductive behaviors are not yet known, egg laying is suspected to occur near the base of plants where larval infestations are typically found. Cracks in the stem epidermis and other wounds may provide sites for egg deposition or larval entry. There are at least two adult generations each year in Minnesota. 

Natural enemies of the soybean gall midge may occur but have not been documented.

Impacts

Plant symptoms and larval infestations are visible after the V2 soybean growth stages. Larvae occur under the epidermis of the soybean stem, typically at the base of the plants (Figures 2 and 3). Larval feeding causes blackened areas at the base of the stem, with heavily infested areas of stems deformed and necrotic (Figure 3). Stems can lodge or break easily at these areas. Injury can result in stunting, wilting and death of soybean plants (Figure 4). Significant yield reductions have been recorded, especially on field edges.

damaged soybean stem from gall midge
Figure 3. Symptoms of soybean gall midge infestation at base of soybean stem. Photo: Emily A Evans, U of MN)
damaged soybean stand
Figure 4. Soybean gall midge infestation in field, showing wilting and plant death. Photo: Bruce Potter, U of MN)

Scouting

Begin scouting soybean plants after the V2 growth stage.

Infestations are most likely on field edges near fields that had soybean the previous year.

Look for dark discoloration at the base of the stem (Figure 3).

Heavily infested plants eventually wilt and die (Figure 4). Stems of infested plants become brittle and can break near the soil.

Peel back the epidermis of the stem and look for larvae (Figure 2).

Management

Currently, there are no recommendations for management of this pest in Minnesota.

Seed-applied insecticides do not appear to be effective. Application of foliar insecticides could be an option in the future, but insecticide efficacy and application timing need to be studied. Extended emergence and multiple generations could make insecticide control of adults difficult.

If host plant resistance can be identified, varieties resistant to soybean gall midge could be a valuable management tool.

This work was supported by the North Central Soybean Research Program.

Please contact us

If you suspect you have a soybean gall midge infestation, please contact Bruce Potter at bpotter@umn.edu or Robert Koch at  koch0125@umn.edu.

Bruce Potter, Extension IPM specialist and Robert Koch, Extension entomologist

Reviewed in 2022

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