The swede midge, Contarinia nasturtii, was first identified in Ontario, Canada in 2000. A large scale survey of the current distribution of swede midge was conducted by mailing survey kits to over 130 cole crop growers in more than 85 locations throughout Ontario in July 2001. Growers were asked to set yellow sticky traps out in cole crop fields for 2 weeks and then to return the sticky traps and a short written questionnaire. All sticky traps returned by growers were examined under the microscope for presence of swede midge adults. While this survey may not provide definitive distribution information, we believe that all problem areas should be detected.
In order to determine the number of generations of swede midge per year in Ontario, yellow sticky traps were set out in two growers' fields in both 2000 and 2001 and checked on a once to twice a week basis. Preliminary results suggest that there may be 3 to 4 generations per year in Ontario.
The ESA 2001 Annual Meeting - 2001: An Entomological Odyssey of ESA