Pear leafcurling midge
Dasineura pyri
0 host plants
Last updated
You will notice severely curled pear leaves with reddish discoloration appearing in late spring through early summer. Tiny maggot-like larvae feed inside curled leaves causing the tissue to fold inward. Heavy infestations reduce shoot growth and may deform young fruit. The pest appears in waves corresponding to multiple generations. Pear trees are susceptible.
Remove and destroy curled leaves when populations are light. Prune affected shoots to remove larval habitat. Dormant sprays applied before leaves emerge can reduce initial midge emergence. Time growing season applications for late April and May when vulnerable leaf stages appear. Conserve parasitic wasps and other natural enemies. Midge damage is usually cosmetic unless infestations are sustained.
Quick Reference
This adult is a very small fly less than 0.1 inch in length. The larvae are very small, legless and orange in color when young, aging to white in color. The feeding of the larvae on leaves causes them to curl up along the midrib. Curled leaves have reddish-gall-like swellings and later on in the season turn black and fall off. Extensive feeding activity can stunt young trees, however in mature trees this is less of a pest. Pear leaf midge is seldom a problem in commercial pear orchards that...