Monitoring the Canola Flower Midge with Pheromone-Baited Traps
Research Objective
- Determine the factors affecting pheromone-baited trap capture of male canola flower midge
- Determine the relationship between the number of midges captured on pheromone traps, larval density, and damage in the field
- Determine the abiotic conditions (ex. Weather, soil type) that affect midge emergence and population densities
- Investigate the emergence pattern, longevity, and oviposition (laying of eggs) behaviour of the canola flower midge
Project Description
The canola flower midge, Contarinia brassicola, is a recently discovered insect pest of canola on the Prairies. Damage results when larvae feed on developing flower buds which prevent the flowers from opening and forming pods. To develop an integrated pest management program for the canola flower midge, reliable monitoring and forecasting tools are needed to assess the midge population densities prior to damage occurring in the field. Synthetic versions of adult produce sex pheromones can be excellent population monitoring tools because they allow the monitoring to be done before damage to the fields occurs.
Recently the female-produced canola flower midge pheromone (which is a scent that attracts insects for mating) had been identified and enhanced to create a potent male attractant. This project will refine the pheromone trapping system, and evaluate the relationship between adult midges captured in pheromone-baited traps, egg and larval density, and damage in the field. In addition, this project will investigate the abiotic factors (ex. Weather, soil type) that affect midge population densities. Ultimately, this project will create an efficient monitoring tool that may be used to scout and forecast canola flower midge populations.