We’re beginning to see midge in a few grain sorghum fields. Particularly in areas with a lot of Johnson grass growing near the field. Sorghum midge is a tiny orange colored fly that only attacks sorghum during flowering. So any sorghum that is flowering should be scouted for this insect. Because midge only attacks sorghum during flowering there is no need to scout for this insect prior to or after flowering. Midge adults only live for about 24 hours during which time they lay eggs in flowering heads. The treatment threshold for midge in sorghum is when an average of one per head is found. Scouting should begin when about 20% of the field is flowering and should continue throughout the flowering period. Right now we’re seeing midge at higher levels on the field edges in many instances. If midge are only at treatment level on the edge of the field, a border treatment may be all that is necessary to get control. Midge are fairly easy to control with insecticides. For a list of insecticides and rates recommended for sorghum midge consult MP144 Insecticide Recommendations for Arkansas.
