UMaine Extension confirms presence of invasive Swede midge, media report
The Bangor Daily News spoke with David Fuller, agriculture and nontimber forest products professional with University of Maine Cooperative Extension, for a report about the invasive Swede midge, whose presence has been confirmed in Maine. The midge, which is native to Europe and southwest Asia, can damage cruciferous plants like cauliflower, cabbage and broccoli. “This is a new insect to the state. It can cause so much damage to crops it renders them unsellable,” said Fuller. “The adult female Swede midge lays her eggs in May on the upper growth points of a plant. Once hatched, the larvae eat those tips of leaves or tops of the plant and plants like broccoli don’t even have a chance to produce heads.” Since Maine experts do not yet have experience managing the pest, Fuller told the BDN they are advising people to consult the Swede Midge Information Center for the U.S. at Cornell University. “This winter will be spent studying the Swede midge. The learning curve will be fast and furious,” he said. Maine Public also interviewed Fuller, and the Associated Press and Morning Ag Clips reported on the discovery of the midge. WGME (Channel 13), Centralmaine.com, Fosters.com, New Haven Register, RFD-TV and Chicago Tribune carried the AP report.