E-Learning about Wheat Blossom Midge

Dow AgroSciences has further developed its innovative concept in plant protection technical transfer and launched a development of its web-enabled training environment. It will be a series of e-learning modules for growers and advisors. The first module focuses on Orange Wheat Blossom Midge and is designed to help assess the risk of this damaging pest. The e-learning module can be found on-line at www.dowagroadvice.co.uk .

This new e-learning module, run in conjunction with its Pestwatch service and backed up with its Technical Hotline facility, will help growers and advisors to identify those fields at risk from Orange Wheat Blossom Midge and give guidance on the appropriate and effective control measures, whilst minimising the impact on the environment. After completing the e-module, which will take 10 to 15 minutes, participants will receive a BASIS-CPD point and a chance to enter a free prize draw.

John Sellars of Dow AgroSciences points out that Orange Wheat Blossom Midge is a very unusual and difficult pest to assess and control. "This makes it very important that every effort is made to accurately assess the risk and real potential for damage to crops. High risk of infestation tends to be associated with continuous cereals, second wheats, midge-susceptible varieties, farms with over 50% wheat as a proportion of their crops and regions or farms with a history of the pest. Variables conducive to Orange Wheat Blossom Midge infestation are moist soils, air temperatures above 13ºC, wind speeds below 11 km/hour and the crop at ear emergence, but before flowering. When adult midges are discovered, the threshold for treatment is 1 or more adults per 6 ears for milling or seed crops and 1 or more adults per 3 ears for feed wheat."

"Utilizing pest monitoring facilities, such as Pestwatch, conducting field risk assessments and making accurately timed applications to threshold populations with an appropriate insecticide, whilst leaving a voluntary 12 metre unsprayed buffer is entirely aligned with good integrated pest management principals," he says.

John points out that Dow AgroSciences, in conjunction with its e-Learning module are running its Pestwatch and SMS text service for Orange Wheat Blossom Midge at http://www.dowagro.com/uk/cereal/pest.htm again this year.

"Commissioned to monitor life cycle progression, we can see how pupation is progressing and so inform advisors and growers when adult emergence might occur, so that they can go and check their fields."

If thresholds are met or exceeded treatment will be justified and Dursban WG is recommended at 0.6 kg/ha in 200 to 1000 litres of water. "Unlike pyrethroid insecticides that will only impact emerged adults over a short period, about 2 days, and have no effect on larvae emerging from eggs, a single application of Dursban WG will control sequential flights of adults that emerge over a longer period of time, up to 7-10 days, and larvae of the pest emerging from eggs. This gives the grower the widest window of opportunity and flexibility to control this pest and minimize the impact on beneficials."

In association with FWAG, Dow AgroSciences recommend a voluntary 12 metre buffer from the edge of the field as part of integrated pest management best practice.

For further information, please contact the Dow Technical Hotline on 0800 689 8899.

Dursban WG (75% w/w chlorpyrifos formulated as a Water Dispersible Granule and packed in a 1 kg pack) is recommended for the control of Orange Wheat Blossom Midge, Leatherjackets, Wheat Bulb fly and Frit fly. For Orange Wheat Blossom Midge, apply Dursban WG at 0.6 kg/ha between ear emergence and the start of flowering (GS 51-59).