Mango Gall Midge

The Mango Gall Midge (*Erosomyia mangiferae*, family Cecidomyiidae) is a highly destructive insect pest that targets commercial mango (*Mangifera indica*) cultivation. This tiny, mosquito-like fly specifically attacks the reproductive structures of the mango tree, targeting young inflorescence buds, emerging floral axes, and newly set fruitlets. The adult midges are minute (1–2 mm long) and relatively short-lived, but their larvae (maggots) are voracious feeding parasites. By tunneling into the succulent tissue of flower stems, flower buds, and tiny mustard-sized mangoes, the larvae disrupt nutrient flow, causing flowers to blacken, die, and fruit to drop prematurely, leading to devastating yield losses up to 80%.

Identifying a Mango Gall Midge infestation is crucial during the flowering season to prevent fruit loss. Early symptoms manifest as small, dark brown or black necrotic spots on the flower stems (peduncles) and inflorescence axes. As larvae feed internally, the flower stalks bend abnormally and dry up. Emerging flower buds remain unopened, turn dry, and drop. Affected newly set fruitlets exhibit tiny exit holes and turn black, shriveling before falling from the tree. Breaking open a blackened inflorescence stem or young fruitlet will reveal tiny, legless, translucent-to-orange maggots (1.5–2.5 mm long) wriggling inside.

Mango Gall Midge is highly host-specific, primarily targeting commercial mango cultivars. The adult midge active phase matches cool, cloudy, and humid spring weather during mango bud swell. Females lay eggs inside flower buds or stem tissue. Upon hatching, larvae feed internally for 10–12 days before jumping out to drop to the soil, where they pupate in the top 2 inches.

Effective control of Mango Gall Midge requires managing both the soil-dwelling pupae and the foliar adult midges. Cultural control involves deep plowing of the orchard soil basin under the tree canopy in late autumn to expose pupae to winter cold and bird predators. Applying organic neem cake or a drench of Beauveria bassiana to the soil basin destroys pupating larvae. For foliage protection, apply neem oil or spinosad sprays during early inflorescence emergence. Chemical control requires targeted systemic insecticide sprays like dimethoate, imidacloprid, or lambda-cyhalothrin applied at early bud swell and mustard-sized fruit set. For advanced orchard health guidelines, consult our Plant Disease Identifier Hub, or explore our guides on Thrips, Powdery Mildew, and Citrus Canker.