With all the wet, rainy weather in March, some greenhouses have experienced minor flooding or poor drainage. During those conditions, I often see adult midges in the greenhouses, especially on yellow sticky cards. Midges are in the Order Diptera (flies), Family Chironomidae. They are small, somewhat delicate insects that resemble mosquitoes. The males have very feathery, plumose type antennae. There are a large number of species native to North America. Adults may sometimes be seen swarming in the greenhouses, usually about waist height. Larvae are mainly aquatic or may occur in moist ground. Neither stage is damaging to plants. (See photo).
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Gall Midges – Adult predatory gall midges (Aphidoletes aphidimyza) are generalist predators against aphids. They are available commercially and are shipped as pupae. Adults emerge from pupae when placed in the greenhouse. (Larvae are predacious against the aphids – see below). The adults have fairly long beaded antennae and long thin legs. They are also in a different family (Cecidomyiidae) from the midges mentioned above.
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Moth Flies – may also occur in moist, wet areas, especially near poor drainage areas. Adult moth flies (Family Psychodidae) are very small, moth-like flies with many hairs on their antennae and wings. They do not feed on plants. (See Photo)
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Fungus Gnats – Adults can be recognized by their long beaded antennae, long legs and Y- shaped vein on their wings. (See Photo)
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Shore Flies – are easily recognized by their short legs, antennae and pale spots on the wings. (See Photo)
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