Oviposition cues of the blueberry gall midge, Dasineura oxycoccana

The blueberry gall midge oviposits into blueberry flower buds and leaf buds, reducing yield up to 80%.  We developed an efficient rearing method with a low level of direct handling, and high levels of survival and chance of mating.  We also collected and identified volatiles from blueberry flower buds.  We tested the response of the blueberry gall midge to these volatiles using a 2-choice bioassay and electroantennograms to identify putative oviposition cues.  These compounds will be tested in the field for their ability to improve monitoring of this important blueberry pest.