Stephen Albert
The aphid midge is a beneficial insect. Aphid midge larvae eat aphids; one larva can eat as many as 65 aphids in a day.
Adult aphid midges are very small, black, flies—less than 1/8 inch long. They look like fungus gnats. Aphid midge larvae are tiny pale yellow to red or brown slug-like creatures.
Aphid midge larvae inject a paralyzing toxin into aphids then suck the body contents from the stricken insects. They are more voracious feeders than ladybugs and lacewings which also feed on aphids.
Larvae are pale yellow to red or brown and not much more than 1/10 of an inch in length.
Adult aphid midge flies have long, slender legs and commonly stand with their antenna curled back over their head. Adults are active at night and hide under leaves during the day.
Female aphid midges lay 100 to 250 shiny orange eggs singly or in small clusters among aphid colonies. Eggs hatch in 2 to 3 days. The larvae feed on aphids for 3 to 5 days then drop to the soil to pupate. They emerge as adults in about 10 days.
Aphid midges reproduce several times during the growing season. An adult aphid midge lives a few weeks.
Attract aphid midges to the garden by planting pollen and nectar plants and provide a water source. Aphid midges are tiny and light, so the garden must be protected from winds. They are most effective in controlling aphids at 68−80 °F and high relative humidity.
Aphid midges are commercially grown by insectaries to use for aphid control in greenhouses. For a small greenhouse or garden, you will need 3 to 10 aphid midge cocoons per plant.
Aphids midges are common throughout North America.
Scientific Name: Aphidoletes aphidimyza
