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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Mayaguez, Puerto Rico » Tropical Crops and Germplasm Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #430825
Research Project: Conservation and Utilization of Tropical and Subtropical Fruit, Cacao, Coffee, and Bamboo Germplasm and Associated Descriptive Information

Location: Tropical Crops and Germplasm Research

Title: Emergence patterns of dasineura oxycoccana (diptera: cecidomyiidae) in relation to diurnal temperature, humidity, and pheromones under field conditions

Author
item LOPEZ LAURENTI, MARICE - Oak Ridge Institute For Science And Education (ORISE)
item LIBURD, OSCAR - University Of Florida

Submitted to: Environmental Entomology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/4/2026
Publication Date: 6/5/2026
Citation: Lopez Laurenti, M., Liburd, O.E. 2026. Emergence patterns of dasineura oxycoccana (diptera: cecidomyiidae) in relation to diurnal temperature, humidity, and pheromones under field conditions. Environmental Entomology. 55(3), nvag049. https://doi.org/10.1093/ee/nvag049.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/ee/nvag049

Interpretive Summary: Blueberry growers in Florida struggle with the blueberry gall midge, a tiny insect that damages developing flower buds and can drastically reduce yields. Because the insect is active for only short periods of the day and is difficult to detect, growers often miss the best times to monitor and control it. Our research tracked the daily activity of gall midge larvae and adults in commercial blueberry fields over two seasons. We found that larvae drop to the soil early in the morning, while females emerge later in the afternoon. We also tested pheromone traps used to attract male midges and found that they can help detect the pest, but their success depends on the local environment and midge population. Lab tests further showed that male midges do not always respond strongly to pheromones, meaning that pheromone blends may need to be fine-tuned for Florida populations. Our findings show that control methods and pheromone traps work best when timed to match the insect’s daily emergence schedule. By applying sprays when larvae or adults are most active, and by using region-specific pheromone blends, growers can improve pest monitoring, reduce unnecessary insecticide use, and better protect their blueberry crops.

Technical Abstract: The blueberry gall midge (BGM), Dasineura oxycoccana Johnson (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), is a key pest of cultivated blueberries (Vaccinium spp.) in North America. Its emergence often coincides with early floral bud development, making timely detection and control essential for effective pest management. We evaluated the diurnal emergence patterns of BGM larvae and adults in a naturally infested southern highbush blueberry planting during 2020 and 2022. Larval emergence was most pronounced between 6–9 AM, accounting for 53–87% of observed emergence, while female adult emergence peaked between 12–3 PM (37–39%). Multiple regression analyses showed that larval emergence was significantly influenced by temperature and relative humidity. In addition, pheromone-baited traps consistently captured more males than unbaited controls. Laboratory olfactometer assays revealed reduced male orientation, even when lure dosage was increased, demonstrating that BGM emergence and pheromone responses are regulated by interactions with environmental, genetic, and chemical factors. Regionally calibrated pheromone blends and the integration of diel emergence dynamics into monitoring and spray programs will improve the precision and efficacy of IPM strategies targeting this pest. These findings demonstrate the importance of aligning monitoring and control measures with diurnal emergence windows to optimize IPM strategies.