Seed Midge Neolasioptera helianthis (Felt), (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae)

 

The most common seed herbivore at our study site is the sunflower seed midge, Neolasioptera helianthis.  Damage from these insects is variable, with up to 70% of the plants in some studies having Neolasioptera damage.  Achenes containing N. helianthis larvae are light colored and soft, which may be the result of a fungus on which the developing larvae feed.  Seeds in which a seed midge has pupated are typically darker at the bottom, with a lighter (often v-shaped) area near the top of the achene (where the midge has used digestive juices to dissolve the seed hull to exit).  Seed midge larvae cannot chew exit holes in the seed, so seeds with exit holes indicate the emergence of a parasitoid wasp. 

 

Seeds containing seed midge larvae	Seeds after seed midge pupation The seed on the right shows  an emerging parasitoid	Parasitoid wasp Torymus sp.