Mass rearing and life cycle of the African rice gall midge, Orseolia oryzivora H. & G., in Burkina Faso

Abstract

A less labour‐intensive method for mass rearing of Orseolia oryzivora H. & G. is described. This technique uses a mist chamber system that needs minimal supervision. The complete life cycle of O. oryzivora lasts from 26 to 36 days with a sex ratio of one male to two females. When 23–27 females were released per cage, 100% of the rice plants developed silver shoots. In varietal screenings, three to seven females can be released per cage, resulting in 85–90% infestation of the susceptible cultivars.

Keywords:

• Cecidomyiidae
• African rice gall midge
• rice
• rearing cages
• Burkina Faso