New County Detections of SGM in IA and ND.
Field Day in Lancaster County, NE on August 13th
August 6th, 2026
New county detections of soybean gall midge larvae were confirmed in Richland County, North Dakota, by Dr. Janet Knodel and in Worth, Franklin, and Lucas Counties, Iowa, by Dr. Erin Hodgson, marking the first records for these counties. This is a reminder that it is a good time to scout soybean fields for the presence of larvae, particularly along field edges adjacent to last year's soybean fields. Once significant larval infestations are present, insecticide applications are not recommended because larvae are protected within the stem, making it difficult for insecticides to reach them effectively. To learn more about scouting, visit the Scouting tab above or use the link: Scouting for Soybean Gall Midge Larvae
Field Observations
Wilting and dead plants have increased slightly at most sites in eastern Nebraska over the past two weeks. Many of the research sites are heavily infested with larvae, but timely rains have allowed the plants to survive. The forecast shows that some areas could experience some warmer and drier weather over the next week that could accelerate the wilting or death of heavily infested plants.
Eastern Nebraska Field Day with a focus on Soybean Gall Midge
Join us on August 13, 2026, for a soybean gall midge-focused field day featuring demonstration plots near Crete, Nebraska. This is an excellent opportunity to learn about the latest research, scouting recommendations, and management strategies for soybean gall midge while seeing field demonstrations firsthand. Register at https://go.unl.edu/copt.
2026 Season Notes
Adult emergence began May 29 in Nebraska and June 1 in Iowa. No adult detections in South Dakota or Minnesota.
Larvae were first detected June 8 in Lancaster County, Nebraska, June 17 in Dallas County, Iowa and June 26 in Minnehaha County, South Dakota.
Larvae are now present at all monitored sites in Nebraska and Iowa.
Wilting and dead plants were documented in Lancaster County, Nebraska on June 22 and in Minnehaha County, South Dakota on June 26, and in Rock County, Minnesota on July 2nd.
Adult emergence from current year’s soybean began on July 2nd in Otoe and Saunders County, NE.
Disclaimer: Information on this website does not represent the official views or opinions of the university.
Cages Removed.
Soybean development stages with the presence of fissures below the cotyledonary node at the V2 stage. White and orange larvae can be found in infested plants at about 5-10 days after adult activity.
Figure 2. Larvae in soybean petiole, soybean field with soybean gall midge injury, and stem infested with soybean gall midge.
Wilting and dead plants from soybean gall midge feeding in Lancaster County, NE. Photo taken on July 19th, 2024. Credit: Justin McMechan
White larvae found on soybean plants near Mead, NE on June 14th, 2023.
Photo taken by Justin McMechan.
Unmanned aerial vehicle photo of soybean gall midge injured field in Cass County, NE taken on August 26th, 2020.
Photo courtesy of Nick Tinsley (Bayer Crop Science)
White and orange larvae found on soybean near Mead, NE on June 19th, 2023
