Sorghum midge

Contarinia sorghicola

The sorghum midge is a small, orange fly that is difficult to see. The edges of its wings appear fringed under magnification. The female lives one day, laying 30–120 eggs, singly, in the glume. About 90 percent of the eggs are laid during the four days following plant-head emergence. The life cycle of the midge is about 14–18 days. The male lives only a few hours.