Linseed Gall-Midge

Scientific name: Dasineura lini

Description The adult of this gall- midge is a small orange fly. The female lays 29-103 smooth, transparent eggs in the folds of 8-17 flowers or in tender green buds, either singly or in clusters of 3-5. The eggs hatch in 2-5 days. Just after emergence, the larvae are transparent, with a yellow patch on the abdomen. Full-grown maggots deep pink and measure about 2 mm in length. There are four overlapping generations during the season.

Nature of damage The damage is caused by maggots, which feed on the flower buds and prevent their proper opening. Consequently the seed dose not set properly. Due to their feeding, galls are produced and there is no pod formation. The incidence of their pest goes up to 20 per cent.

Control Measures: The adult flies can be killed by using light traps. The practice of normal-sown crops should be adopted. Use of Systasis dasyneura parasite on maggots. The crop may be sprayed with monocrotophs 36 SL 750 ml or endosulfan 35EC 1.5 litre/ha.