Swede midge is an insect pest that has recently caused up to 100% losses of organic broccoli in New York and Vermont. The midge is an invasive pest that also attacks a wide range of other crops in the Brassicaceae family (kale, collards, cabbage, kohlrabi, Brussel sprouts, bok choi, napa cabbage, turnips, and canola). So far, severe damage is only restricted to New York and Vermont.
The Insect Agroecology and Evolution Lab is the currently the only lab in the United States that is working on the developing alternative pest control strategies suitable for organic production for the midge. If you donate to our fund, the money will go directly towards funding student research on swede midge pest control.