Crops
Clinodiplosis capsici (Won)
Pepper midge
General
- Tropical insect attacking chillies and peppers. Belongs to the order Diptera and the family Cecidomyia.
- The adult is a small fly.
- The beige colored larva measures about 2.5 mm.
- Observed in the open field as well as under shelters.
- Sensitive botanical family (s)
| Solanacées |
- Affected production areas :
| Guyana | Guadeloupe |
- Organs attacked
| Leaves | Flowers | Rod |
Symptoms, damage
- Symptoms :
- Galls more or less rounded on leaves, stems and at the base of flowers.
- Rather prickly galls on the stem at the start of the attack.
- Signs : Presence of a single larva inside each gall if cut.
- Possible confusion :
Biology
- Development cycle : The larva grows entirely inside the gall, with 3 successive larval stages. Pupation also takes place in the gall. The pupa makes a hole which allows the adult insect to emerge.
- Dispersal : The winged adults allow the dispersal of the pest.
Protection
- Weed the crop and its surroundings.
- Produce the seedlings in an nursery insect-proof .
- Check the sanitary quality of the plants before and during their introduction into the crop or shelter.
- Install canvases insect-proof in nurseries and at shelter openings when weather conditions allow.
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