Damage to swedes by the swede midge, Contarinia nasturtii (Kieff.), and a possible method of cultural control

Abstract

The effects of infestation by Contarinia nasturtii (Kieff.) on the growth and yield of swedes were observed in a centric-systematic-area sample consisting of 720 individually tagged plants. Severe infestation by the first generation caused multiple haeding and some reduction of yield, though it was attack by the second generation that more strongly depressed yield. From the results of laboratory experiments described it is inferred that it should be possible to achieve satisfactory control by simple cultural procedures designed to bury the pupal cocoons too deeply in the soil to permit successful emergence of the adult midges.