Hibiscus Gall Midge
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Adult midge lay eggs into open tips of young buds.
Larvae feed on bud before "jumping" several inches to exit bud and burrow in ground to pupate.
The pupae live in moist soil for 14 - 21 days before emerging as adult to repeat life cycle.
Causes premature bud drop.
Treating the soil around the plant to kill off any larvae that enter the soil.
Remove yellowing flowers and dropped buds as soon as possible to stop larvae from bantering soil.
Hibiscus Gall Midge
Identification
Look for yellowing flower buds and pick one off the plant for inspection. Carefully open the flower bud and look for tiny worm-like larvae inside. Another trick is to pickup any dropped flower buds and put them in a sealed ziplock bag. After a couple hours, check the sealed bag for small larvae that have exited the buds. Hibiscus bud drop is a sign Hibiscus Gall Midge.Environment
Lives in South Florida year-round but populations are higher during warmer months.Adult midge lay eggs into open tips of young buds.
Larvae feed on bud before "jumping" several inches to exit bud and burrow in ground to pupate.
The pupae live in moist soil for 14 - 21 days before emerging as adult to repeat life cycle.
Threats
Midge can be a serious pest of orchids and hibiscus.Causes premature bud drop.
Treatment
Use a systemic pesticide to kill larvae inside the flower buds.Treating the soil around the plant to kill off any larvae that enter the soil.
Remove yellowing flowers and dropped buds as soon as possible to stop larvae from bantering soil.