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Soybean Gall Midge Larvae and Wilting Plants Update
June 26, 2026
With adult emergence occurring in late May and early June in Nebraska and Iowa, soybean gall midge larvae have now been detected at all monitoring sites in both states. See map below for details.
In Nebraska, dead and dying soybean plants have been documented at three monitoring sites in Lancaster County and a field in Seward County. While the incidence of dead plants remains low (<3%), it is expected to increase over the next week as hot weather puts additional stress on soybean. See map below for details.
Although no adult emergence has been detected in South Dakota or Minnesota, larvae have been found in Minnehaha County, South Dakota, where a small number of wilting and dead soybean plants have also been observed.
Now 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 below:
Scouting for Soybean Gall Midge Larvae
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.
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
