Swede Midge Damage Symptoms

Swede midge injury is often difficult to distinguish from other factors that can damage the growing tip of a plant such as mechanical injury from cultivation, insect and animal feeding, molybdenum deficiency, herbicide injury, genetic variation of the plant, and heat or cold stress. For confirmation of injury due to swede midge, the larvae should be found on or within the plant tissue (Image to Right). During feeding, larvae produce a secretion that breaks down plant tissue, creating a moist environment. The secretion is toxic to the plant and results in a series of tissue reactions within the plant. See tabs above for symptoms on crops and weeds.