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CRESTON- Montana State University agriculture scientists are warning farmers that they're finding large numbers of a harmful insect that could wipe out spring wheat crops.

Orange Blossom Wheat Midge insects are piling up in pheromone traps at the Montana State University Agricultural Research Center in Creston.

Flathead Valley farmers lost $1.5 million worth of wheat in 2006 to the insect, which can eat 90% percent of wheat fields.

Agriculturalists at the center say spring wheat producers need to physically start scanning their fields. Female midge typically start flying at dusk if wind speeds are low and temperatures are warm.

A single female midge can lay up to 80 eggs in the heads of wheat.