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Cornell University

Swede Midge Information Center

Trapping

Monitoring and Scouting Swede Midge Using Pheromone Traps

What is a swede midge pheromone trap?
The swede midge pheromone is a sex pheromone that attracts male midges. A swede midge pheromone trap consists of the pheromone lure, lure holder (trap), sticky card, and wooden or steel stake (Figure 1). Research by Dr. R. Hallett in Canada and our lab indicated that white Jackson traps (Scentry Biological Inc., Billings, MT) are very effective at capturing swede midge.

Fig 1. Trapping
Fig 1. Swede Midge Pheromone lure, trap and sticky card

How to set up swede midge pheromone traps in field to attract swede midge?
Usually, traps are hung from stakes with the bottom of the trap set ca.30-40 cm above the soil surface (Figure 2). Since swede midge adults are weak fliers and fly fairly close to the ground, it is suggested that traps should not be hung too high. The pheromone lure is attached to a piece of cardboard (Fig.1), which can then be stapled to the inside roof of the trap body. The lure is effective for approximately 4 weeks and sticky cards should be checked weekly and replaced (if swede midge population is high, sticky cards should be checked and replaced more often). Place three to four pheromone traps per field at least 50 m apart. Traps can be placed within the field or in the first few rows for ease of monitoring.

Fig 2. Trapping
Fig 2. Swede Midge Pheromone trap set up in a cabbage field (C. Hoepting at Cornell University)

What if you captured swede midge suspects?
If you believe you have swede midge on your farm, consult your local extension service, university, or agricultural service provider for assistance in identification and reporting presence of this invasive pest. Please contact Elisabeth Hodgdon at eh528@cornell.edu for more information.

Where to order swede midge pheromone traps?
Swede midge lures and trap supplies can be ordered from:

Distributions Solida Inc. in Quebec, Canada:
Marc Charbonneau
Distributions Solida Inc.
Phone:  418-826-0900
Fax: 418-826-0901
Email: info@solida.ca

Andermatt Biocontrol Ag
Grossdietwil, Switzerland
Email: sales@biocontrol.ch

Great Lakes IPM (http://www.greatlakesipm.com/)                                                                                        800-235-0285 (phone)
989-268-5311 (fax)
glipm@greatlakesipm.com