Effect of temperature on blueberry gall midge (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) pupation in the laboratory

Blueberry gall midge, Dasineura oxycoccana (Johnson), is a serious pest of blueberries in the southeastern United States. The effect of temperature on development has not been studied before for this species. Adult midges were reared from third instar larvae in the laboratory at six constant temperatures (10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35°C). An approximate temperature threshold and degree-day requirement for the pupal stadium was calculated. The degree-day estimate was compared with emergence trap data collected at a blueberry farm in Gainesville, Florida. Maximum adult emergence occurred at 20 and 25°C. No adults emerged at 10 or 35°C. Based on first trap captures in January 2008, it was estimated that blueberry gall midge began pupation as early as mid-December 2007.