Insect Blog

Honeylocust Pod Gall Midge

May 14th, 2019

Plants Affected:

Honeylocust.

Symptoms:

Leaves on the ends of branches curl up and form small pods.  They will have a light green to brownish color.

Life Cycle:

Small flies lay eggs in new leaflets as they form in the spring.  Small “worms” hatch and begin feeding, causing the leaflet to curl into a pod.

Treatment/Care:

Chemical treatments are usually ineffective because of the precise timing needed to spray the insect in the spring and the variability of egg laying throughout the region.  The leaf pod forms quickly which prevents chemicals from reaching the “worm” inside.