Midge Damage Research Articles

Determination of Twelve Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) Varietal Status to Midge Damage in Hotspot Area of Burkina Faso

Sorghum is a staple food for millions of people in rural areas of Burkina Faso and is the most important crop grown in the three different climatic zones. However, in the Eastern part of the country, its production is considerably reduced by sorghum midge, Stenodiplosis sorghicola (Coquillet, 1898). In this investigation, 12 sorghum varieties were evaluated in midge hotspot areas (Fada) to determine their response to midge damage. A trial was evaluated in hotspot area (Fada) during two years (2022 and 2023) and key traits such as heading time, midge damage and grain yield were measured. Overall, varieties had different plant cycles, different midge damage scores and different grain yield across years, but the varieties performances in the hotspot site were strongly linked to heading time and midge damage. Finally, the tested varieties belonged to 3 varietal statues i.e, early maturing and tolerant, mid maturing and tolerant and late maturing and susceptible as revealed by this study. Early maturing and tolerant group (Kouria, Kapelga and ICSV 1049) was constituted of materials that heading time did not synchronize well with midge egg-laying period and therefore escape insect damage. Mid-maturing and tolerant group (Sariaso 40 and Sariaso 41) were constituted of varieties that heading time synchronized with insect egg-laying period and insect pullulation, but had less damage to grain yield. Those varieties are tolerant and have probably combination of mechanisms that allow them to avoid midge attacks. Late maturing and susceptible group (PR3009B, 014-SB-EPDU-1004, 12B, Sariaso 39, Sariaso 42 and Sariaso 43) are constituted of varieties that headed late with synchronization of glumes opening time to midge egg-laying period. Unfortunately, midge attacks considerably damage their yield. Those varieties are susceptible to the insect.

Genotype x Environment Interaction and Stability of Heading Time and Grain Yield of 12 Open Pollinated Sorghum Varieties across Different Agro-ecological Zones in Burkina Faso

Sorghum is the most important crop grown in Burkina Faso and is a staple food for millions of people in rural areas. However, sorghum grain production is mainly from local varieties which are low yielding. Introduced exotic varieties were high yielding but low adopted due to bad grain quality for local dishes. Therefore, it is important to popularize new varieties that meet farmer’s needs. We assessed the agronomic performance and stability of 12 sorghum varieties in different agro-ecological zones in Burkina Faso. Studies were conducted in one location (Kamboinse research station) during 2022 and in six locations (Farako-Bâ, Kamboinse, Fada, Sabou, Zoula and Andemtenga) during rainy season 2023. Twelve sorghum varieties including checks (Kapelga, ICSV 1049) were evaluated in a randomized complete block design with genotypes as studied factors. Agromorphological parameters along with midge damage and number of Striga plants were collected in all the sites. Genotypes, environments and genotype × environment interactions were significant for heading time and grain yield. The varieties had different heading times and different grain yields within environments and across the six environments. The GGE biplot discriminated the study areas into a unique mega-environment for heading time and three mega-environments for yield potential. The majority of varieties yielded more than the average sorghum yield in sub-Sahara Africa, however low yielding varieties were found in environments affected by biotic and abiotic constraints. Some high yielding varieties (Sariaso 43 = 3960.94 kg/ha, 014-SB-EPDU-1004 = 3681.64kg/ha, Sariaso 42 = 3478,52 kg/ha and Sariaso 39 = 3427.73 Kg/ha) were clearly identified in constraintless mega-environments of Kamboinse and Farako-Ba. In conclusion, the GGE biplot analysis revealed that Sariaso 43 was the best genotype that combined suitable heading time and high grain yield across environments. The best performing genotypes for heading time were Sariaso 39 and PR3009B for grain yield. Identified high yielding varieties will be submitted for released and cultivation in suitable agro climatic areas.

Tree diversity reduces co-infestation of Douglas fir by two exotic pests and pathogens

The number of non-native invasive pests and pathogens has increased dramatically in recent years, with disastrous consequences for the health of forests worldwide. Multiple studies have shown that mixed forests may suffer less damage from insect pests than single species forest. This “associational resistance” can be notably explained by the fact that heterospecific neighbours make it more difficult for herbivores to locate and then exploit their host tree. However, the validity of these findings in the case of non-native, invasive pests and pathogens remains to be demonstrated. In this study, we monitored over two hundred Douglas firs in pure and mixed plots of a tree diversity experiment to assess the damage from the non-native gall midge Contarinia pseudotsugae and the non-native needle cast Nothophaeocryptopus gaeumannii. The probability of Swiss needle-cast infection was lower in Douglas fir trees surrounded by heterospecific neighbours. Gall midge damage was lower on Douglas firs surrounded by taller neighbours, consistent with the hypothesis of reduced host Apparency. Douglas fir trees that were more damaged by C. pseudotsugae were also more often infected by N. gaeumannii. Our study thus provides partial support of the associational resistance hypothesis of mixed forests against exotic pests and pathogens. Promoting forest species diversity at the stand level could, therefore, offer interesting prospects for reducing the impact of biological invasions, especially those involving both pests and pathogens.

Marker‐trait association analysis for gall midge (Orseolia oryzae) resistance in a diverse rice population

AbstractDamage caused by insect herbivores, notably Asian rice gall midge, Orseolia oryzae is more prevalent in the rice‐growing belts of India's southern and north‐eastern states. As a prelude to resistant cultivar development, the identification of genomic regions for resistance in the source population is crucial. In the present investigation, 202 rice genotypes were phenotyped and assayed with genomic markers reported for gall midge resistance. Positive skewness and platykurtic distribution of response scores suggested the inheritance of gall midge resistance in the study population. The marker gm3del3 contributed the most genetic variation, followed by RM28574 and marker RM22709 explained minimal variation. A marker‐trait association analysis with a single marker‐trait linear regression approach was performed to discover gall midge resistant genomic region/genes. The marker RM17480 on chromosome 4 reported to be linked with gm3 gene was found significantly associated with the gall midge resistance genomic region with allelic effects in a negative direction favouring resistance reaction. The allelic effects of significantly associated markers were correlated significantly with the phenotypic variation of gall midge damage scores. Genes identified in the vicinity of this marker contribute to stress response reactions in rice plants. The 200 bp allele of the marker was associated with susceptibility, while the 250 bp allele was associated with resistance expression. This allelic association with trait variation suggests the importance of associated marker for utilisation in marker‐assisted selection programmes to incorporate resistance alleles into elite rice genotypes.

Blueberry Gall Midge on Southern Highbush Blueberry in Florida

Blueberry gall midge is a small fly native to North America that feeds on blueberries and cranberries. It can be found throughout the United States, including Florida, where its larvae feed on southern highbush blueberry and rabbiteye floral and vegetative buds. Reports of blueberry gall midge damage on southern highbush blueberry in Florida have become more common in recent years, in some cases significantly impacting yield where there was severe feeding damage to floral buds. This 3-page fact sheet written by Oscar Liburd and Doug Phillips and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Entomology and Nematology will inform growers how to scout for, identify, and control blueberry gall midge. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in1239

Injury by Contarinia (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) to early-seeded and late-seeded canola in northeastern Saskatchewan, Canada, and assessment of seed treatments for midge control

AbstractA three-year field study in northeastern Saskatchewan, Canada, determined the effects of seeding date and seed treatment on feeding injury by Contarinia Róndani (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) midges to canola, Brassica napus Linnaeus (Brassicaceae), and subsequent seed yield. Emergence cage monitoring indicated the presence of two generations of midges at the four locations observed. Intensity of midge injury to canola was low, but damaged plants were common. Field location and seeding date influenced probability of midge injury and canola growth stage. The wettest of the four locations had the greatest number of midges but low levels of probability of damage in two of three years. Early-seeded plots had higher injury probability than late-seeded plots, with the highest probability of injury occurring one to two weeks after flowering commenced. Seed treatment marginally affected midge injury ratings, suggesting that insecticide efficacy dissipated before the midges attacked. Seed yield was higher in early-seeded than in late-seeded plots in two of three years, despite the greater level of damage seen in early-seeded plots. Overall, the research showed that the agronomic benefits of early seeding outweighed the effects of the midge damage observed; therefore, producers in the Canadian prairie provinces should seed canola when conditions are most agronomically suitable.

A Single Swede Midge (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) Larva Can Render Cauliflower Unmarketable.

Swede midge, Contarinia nasturtii Kieffer (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), is an invasive pest causing significant damage on Brassica crops in the Northeastern United States and Eastern Canada. Heading brassicas, like cauliflower, appear to be particularly susceptible. Swede midge is difficult to control because larvae feed concealed inside meristematic tissues of the plant. In order to develop damage and marketability thresholds necessary for integrated pest management, it is important to determine how many larvae render plants unmarketable and whether the timing of infestation affects the severity of damage. We manipulated larval density (0, 1, 3, 5, 10, or 20) per plant and the timing of infestation (30, 55, and 80 d after seeding) on cauliflower in the lab and field to answer the following questions: 1) What is the swede midge damage threshold? 2) How many swede midge larvae can render cauliflower crowns unmarketable? and 3) Does the age of cauliflower at infestation influence the severity of damage and marketability? We found that even a single larva can cause mild twisting and scarring in the crown rendering cauliflower unmarketable 52% of the time, with more larvae causing more severe damage and additional losses, regardless of cauliflower age at infestation.

Genetic Variability and Its Implications on Early Generation Sorghum Lines Selection for Yield, Yield Contributing Traits, and Resistance to Sorghum Midge

Sorghum is the second most important cereal crop in Niger. The crop is grown in a wide range of ecological environments in the country. However, sorghum grain yield in Niger is limited by both abiotic and biotic constraints. Recombinant inbred lines derived from the cross of a local variety with a midge resistant variety and two local checks were evaluated during the 2015 rainy season across two planting dates in two environments in Niger. The objective was to investigate genetic variability for yield, yield related traits, and resistance to sorghum midge. High phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) versus genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) was observed in both sites and planting dates. Across planting dates at both Konni and Maradi, grain yield, plant height, panicle weight, and midge damage had high heritability coupled with high estimates of genetic advance. At Konni, high genetic advance coupled with high heritability was detected for grain yield, plant height, panicle weight, and resistance to midge. There were similar results at Maradi for grain yield, plant height, and panicle weight. Therefore, selection might be successful for the above characters in their respective environments.

Oviposition preference, larval distribution and impact of the swede midge, Contarinia nasturtii, on growth and yield of canola

The swede midge (Contarinia nasturtii) has become a significant economic pest of canola (Brassica napus L.) in Ontario and an emergent pest in the Prairie provinces. Determining yield impacts of swede midge damage and the growth stage(s) at which canola is most vulnerable or attractive to swede midge will contribute to the development of pest management recommendations throughout the growth of the crop. In four experiments, canola plants were exposed to specific densities of adult swede midge and measures of oviposition, damage and yield were collected. There was a significant positive relationship between female density and total oviposition per plant with a very high capacity for larval numbers on canola; up to ~ 4000. Given a choice of four growth stages, approximately 85% of oviposition occurred on seven-leaf and early bud canola. Given no choice, the high total oviposition on 3-leaf and flowering stages suggests that swede midge will oviposit on less favorable canola growth stages, if no others are present. Damage sustained on primary racemes remained relatively constant over time. However, damage ratings on secondary and tertiary racemes decreased over time in the highest treatment densities, suggesting compensation by the plant. All yield measures, except seed weight per pod, significantly decreased with increasing female density on primary and/or secondary racemes. A density of ~ 0.6 females per plant resulted in 10% reductions in the number of pods and seed weight produced on primary racemes. These results support recommendations for insecticide applications at, or just prior to, the early bud stage.

Effect of nano-calcite foliar fertilizer on growth and yield of <i>oryza sativa</i> variety at 362

A pot experiment in an open area was conducted in 2015 yala season at the Regional Rice Research Institute, Ambalantota, Sri Lanka to determine the effect of foliar application of nano calcite on yield, yield component and quality of rice (Oryza sataiva) variety, At 362. Treatments tested were 4 levels of nano calcite (40, 80, 120 and 160 ppm) and plant growth were estimated 30, 60 and 90 days after transplanting and grain yield at harvesting. The experiment followed the Randomized Complete Block Design with 3 replications. It was found that the application of nano calcite foliar fertilizer has significantly contributed to enhance growth, yield, seed quality and insect resistance in At 362. Plants treated with 120 ppm nano calcite had highest yield with highest performances of growth and seed quality attributes. The dates required for the 50% flowering was reduced by 6 days and yield was increased by 25% with the application of 120 ppm nano calcite compared to the untreated plants. The plants treated with 160 ppm foliar nano calcite recorded significantly low gall midge damage, leaf mites, stem borer damage and paddy bugs as compared to untreated control and treated with lower doses (40 and 80 ppm). While the data of this study showed that nano calcite has positive effects on rice growth, yield and induced resistance to insect pests, further research would be needed to validate the observations.

Population dynamics of mango leaf gall midge, Protocontarinia matteiana and its correlation with weather parameters

Highest leaf gall midge damage (60.49 %) was observed on 7th standard week (SW) coinciding with pea cum marble sized fruit stages of the crop. It was positively influenced by sunshine and negatively by temperature (minimum and average), relative humidity, rainfall and wind velocity. The lowest leaf damage (31.69 %) was observed during 36 SW coinciding with emergence of new flush stage.

Seed damage and sources of yield loss by Sitodiplosis mosellana (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) in resistant wheat varietal blends relative to susceptible wheat cultivars in western Canada

AbstractSpring wheat varieties with the Sm1 gene for resistance to wheat midge, Sitodiplosis mosellana (Géhin) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), were compared with susceptible wheat (Triticum Linnaeus; Poaceae) with respect to sources of yield loss and reduction in market value from wheat midge feeding damage. Four resistant varietal blends (90% Sm1 wheat plus 10% susceptible refuge) and four susceptible cultivars were grown in replicated experiments at eight locations in western Canada. Frequencies and 1000-kernel weights of undamaged and midge-damaged seeds were assessed before harvest by dissecting samples of ripe spikes, and after harvest in samples of cleaned grain. Spike data were used to estimate yield losses from reduced weight of damaged seeds and loss of severely damaged seeds (⩽8 mg) at harvest. Among midge-damaged seeds in spikes, few were severely damaged in resistant varietal blends, whereas most were severely damaged in susceptible cultivars. Cleaned, harvested grain of resistant varietal blends and susceptible cultivars had similar frequencies of midge damage and were assessed similar market grades. The primary benefit of midge-resistant wheat was reduced yield loss due to seed damage by wheat midge larvae. Resistant wheat did not protect against loss of market grade, but market value could increase due to larger yields.

Phenology and distribution of the apple leafcurling midge (Dasineura mali (Kieffer)) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) and its natural enemies on apples under biological and integrated pest management in Central Otago, New Zealand

Damage by apple leafcurling midge Dasineura mali, and the numbers of its predators Orius vicinus and Sejanus albisignata, were monitored from 1994 to 1998 on terminal, lateral, spur, and fruiting shoots of a range of apple cultivars under integrated and organic pest management at Clyde, Central Otago. The predators were also monitored using beating trays. The phenology of egg laying and damage by apple leafcurling midge, and the adult numbers of its egg parasitoid Platygaster demades, were recorded on ‘Royal Gala’ apples from 1997 to 2000 at the same location. Apple leafcurling midge completed three to four generations per year depending on summer temperatures, with greatest larval damage by the second generation in December/January, particularly to terminal and lateral shoots. Although each apple cultivar was planted in a discrete block, there were large differences in damage which persisted over several seasons, suggesting significant variation in cultivar susceptibility. Colonisation of the trees by P. demades was slow but monitoring of adult numbers indicated good synchronisation with midge egg laying from the 1998–99 season. Both predatory bug species occurred at higher density on midge-damaged shoots than on undamaged shoots. Analysis of midge damage in relation to the population density of the bugs indicated that midge damage fell in response to high densities of S. albisignata and was high only when this species was at low density. On the other hand, O. vicinus appeared to be a minor predator because higher densities of O. vicinus were correlated with higher midge damage and there was no evidence that this led to a later reduction in the midge population. This research has indicated that P. demades, S. albisignata, and plant resistance can all play an important role in the biological control of apple leafcurling midge.

Pheromone-Based Action Thresholds for Control of the Swede Midge, <I>Contarinia nasturtii</I> (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), and Residual Insecticide Efficacy in Cole Crops

The swede midge, Contarinia nasturtii (Kieffer), is an invasive gall midge causing economic damage to cole crops (Brassica oleracea L.) and other crucifers in eastern Canada and United States. An effective decision-making tool for timing insecticide applications is a critical part of an integrated pest management program against C. nasturtii. Experiments were undertaken over 2 yr and at three locations in southern Ontario to develop pheromone-based action thresholds for C. nasturtii in cabbage and broccoli. An economic comparison between action threshold and calendar insecticide regimes was undertaken. The threshold approach was both economically viable and successful at minimizing swede midge damage for cabbage, and an action threshold of five males per trap per day with a minimum 7 d retreatment interval successfully reduced damage to acceptable levels. However, this approach was not successful with broccoli, which, unlike cabbage, is susceptible to damage by C. nasturtii through all plant stages, including heading. Acetamiprid and lambda-cyhalothrin both demonstrated approximately 7 d residual activity against C. nasturtii. Registration labels for both insecticides specify a minimum 7 d retreatment interval, which is supported by residual efficacy results. More effective insecticidal products may have longer residual efficacy and improve efficacy of the action threshold approach for broccoli and cabbage.

Effectiveness of Some Insecticides on Wheat Blossom Midges in Winter Wheat

Orange wheat blossom midge damage can impart serious loss of quantity and quality of winter wheat. Wheat midges were evaluated in large scale field in winter wheat in Bad Lausick (Leipzig, Saxsony) central Germany. The present study aimed at studying the activity of wheat blossom midges WBM, Sitodiplosis mosellana (Gehin) and Contarinia tritici (Kirby) using pheromone, sticky traps and two types of water traps. Management of midges with different treatments was studied; Karate (pyrethroid), Biscaya (neonicotinoid) and NeemAzal T/S (botanical insecticide) were sprayed on wheat at heading stage (GS 55). Monitoring was conducted before the treatment and continued for 4 weeks after the treatment. Pheromone traps were used for forecasting midge adult population and determine the control date. Water traps were used to assess midge larvae, while midge adults were surveyed using sticky traps.

Relative performance of resistant wheat varietal blends and susceptible wheat cultivars exposed to wheat midge, Sitodiplosis mosellana (Géhin)

Vera, C. L., Fox, S. L., DePauw, R. M., Smith, M. A. H., Wise, I. L., Clarke, F. R., Procunier, J. D. and Lukow, O. M. 2013. Relative performance of resistant wheat varietal blends and susceptible wheat cultivars exposed to wheat midge, Sitodiplosis mosellana (Géhin). Can. J. Plant Sci. 93: 59–66. Wheat midge, Sitodiplosis mosellana (Géhin), causes significant yield losses to spring wheat in western Canada. To mitigate these losses, midge-resistant wheat varietal blends, consisting of cultivars with the Sm1 midge resistance gene and containing 10% of a midge susceptible cultivar (interspersed refuge), were made available to farmers. To test their performance relative to conventional midge-susceptible cultivars, four varietal blends were grown during four consecutive growing seasons at eight locations in the provinces of Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta, Canada, and compared with four conventional midge-susceptible cultivars. Midge damage varied from year to year during the 4-yr study. In general, the varietal blends, as a group, yielded more grain than the susceptible cultivars, especially when grown in environments with high (12.8%) seed damage. In environments with low (0.9%) seed damage, the varietal blend yield increases were smaller but still significant, suggesting that some of the varietal blends may be endowed with additional superior attributes, unrelated to midge resistance. The Sm1 gene was independent of time to heading and maturity, plant height, lodging and seed weight.

Effect of within-field and landscape factors on insect damage in winter oilseed rape

It was investigated whether damage on winter oilseed rape ( Brassica napus) caused by three major pests (rape and cabbage stem weevil, pollen beetle, brassica pod midge) was affected by within-field (soil quality, nitrogen fertilization level, plant development, stand density) and landscape factors (percentage B. napus area, isolation of B. napus fields, number of B. napus fields, average distance between study field and surrounding B. napus fields—all within a radius of 2000 m around the study fields). Damage and within-field/landscape relationships were analyzed on 29 landscape sectors using stepwise multiple regression analyses. Damage caused by stem weevil larvae was assessed by measuring the length of damaged stem pith on dissected B. napus stems, pollen beetle damage was assessed on top racemes by calculating the percentage of podless peduncles, damage by pod midge larvae was calculated as the percentage of yellow and prematurely split pods in the top racemes. Stem weevil and pollen beetle damage was significantly positively correlated with respective pest abundances, however no such relationship could be observed for pod midge. Oilseed rape yield was for all three damage measures significantly negatively related to the degree of damage. Multiple regression analyses revealed that pollen beetle and pod midge damage was negatively related to B. napus area in the surrounding landscape, while stem weevil damage showed a positive relationship with soil quality, plant development and stand density. The results indicated that pollen beetle and pod midge damage was mainly influenced by the amount of host plants in the landscape while stem weevil damage seemed to be more affected by within-field characteristics that might have altered the nutritional quality of the oilseed rape crop and/or the stand microclimate.

Environmental factors influence the expression of resistance to sorghum midge, Stenodiplosis sorghicola

Host plant resistance is an effective means of controlling sorghum midge (Stenodiplosis sorghicola). We studied the influence of environmental factors on expression of resistance to sorghum midge in three midge-resistant and two midge-susceptible genotypes. Midge-resistant lines AF 28, ICSV 197, and TAM 2566 suffered 8.8 to 17.3% damage across seven so wings compared to 25.6%damage in ICSV 112, and 69.4% damage in CSH 5. Susceptibility of the midge-resistant lines (AF 28, ICSV 197, and TAM 2566) decreased with an increase in open pan evaporation, maximum and minimum temperatures, and solar radiation; while the midge-susceptible lines (ICSV 112 and CSH 5) showed a poor interaction with these factors. Midge damage in ICSV 197 showed a negative correlation with minimum temperature and relative humidity and positive correlation with sunshine hours,while the reverse was true for CSH 5. Grain growth rate between 0 and 3 days after anthesis was lower in crops sown on 1st October, when AF 28 and ICSV 197 suffered maximum midge damage. Maximum and minimum temperatures and maximum relative humidity influenced the moisture content of the grain, grain growth rate, and sorghum midge damage. There was considerable variation in genotype × environment interaction for expression of resistance to sorghum midge,and the implications of these results have been discussed in relation to development of sorghum cultivars with resistance to this insect.

Susceptibility of hulled and hulless barley (Gramineae) to Sitodiplosis mosellana (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae)

AbstractModern hulless wheats, Triticum aestivum L., are more susceptible to the wheat midge, Sitodiplosis mosellana (Géhin), than the hulled, wild, ancestral species. Hulless cultivars of barley, Hordeum vulgare L., are becoming more widely grown in western Canada than in the past. Hulled and hulless cultivars of two-rowed and six-rowed barleys were tested for their susceptibility to wheat midge, to determine if this midge might become a serious pest of barley and to assess which plant traits might affect host suitability. In the field, larval populations on 10 barley cultivars were much lower than on wheat. In the laboratory, when the flag leaf sheath was peeled back to expose preflowering spikes, female midges readily oviposited on spikes of barley, although less so on younger spikes. Few larvae were able to develop on barley when eggs were laid after spikes had flowered. All barleys completed flowering, or nearly so, before spikes emerged from the flag leaf sheath, with two-rowed cultivars flowering earlier than six-rowed barleys. No differences in larval densities were found between hulless and hulled barleys, and therefore, factors other than the hulled trait must account for reduced susceptibility of barley. Because barley flowers within the flag leaf sheath, its period of susceptibility to infestation is much shorter than for wheat, as evidenced by reduced infestation of earlier-flowering two-rowed cultivars compared with later-flowering six-rowed cultivars. Also, the tight closure of the leaf-like glumes that form the florets of barley probably makes access to young seeds more difficult for newly hatched larvae than is the case for wheat. At comparable crop growth stages, larval densities on all the barleys were < 10% of those on spring wheat. The introduction of hulless barley for production in Canada is unlikely to increase wheat midge damage on barley to an economic level.

Compensation in grain weight and volume in sorghum is associated with expression of resistance to sorghum midge, Stenodiplosis sorghicola

Sorghum midge, Stenodiplosis sorghicola (Coquillett) is one of the most important pests of grain sorghum worldwide. We studied the inheritance of resistance to sorghum midge and compensation in grain weight and volume in panicles of sorghum hybrids and their parents under uniform infestation (40 midges per panicle for two consecutive days). Sorghum midge damage ranged from 8.2 to 82.4% in the maintainer lines (B-lines) of the females parents (A-lines), and 9.0 to 67% in the male parents (restorer lines). Hybrids involving resistant × resistant parents were highly resistant, while those involving resistant ×susceptible and susceptible × resistant parents showed moderate susceptibility. Susceptible × susceptible hybrids were susceptible. Compensation in (percentage increase) grain weight and volume in midge-infested panicles of midge-resistant parents and their F1 hybrids was greater than in midge-susceptible parents and hybrids. General combining ability effects for midge damage, and grain weight and volume were significant and negative for the midge-resistant females (ICSA 88019 and ICSA 88020), whereas those for the midge-susceptible females (ICSA 42 and 296A) were significant and positive. However, the reverse was true in case of compensation in grain weight and volume. Inheritance of compensation in grain weight and volume and resistance to sorghum midge is controlled by quantitative gene action with some cytoplasmic effects. Resistance is needed in both parents to realize full potential of midge-resistant hybrids.