Wheat Plant Insects

Wheat Plants Insects
Numerous insects can attack wheat plants.

Hessian fly
Mayetiola destructor is a widespread pest. It can cause dwarfing of plants, reduction in tillering, increased winter injury and breaking of straw after ripening – in other words, many manifestations of lowered vitality can be observed in infected plants. Resistance in wheat to this pest is due either to antibiosis, in which the insect dies after feeding on the plant, or tolerance, in which the insect continues to feed but the plant compensates for the damage by growing more tillers.

Wheat stem sawfly
Cephus cinctus occurs in Canada and the US northward of Kansas. Damage results from breaking of infested stems and wheat with solid stems show only minor effects. Control efforts have been directed toward developing varieties with solid stems.

Cereal leaf beetle
Oulema melanopus causes widespread damage to small grains in many countries throughout the world. Larval and adult forms feed on the leaves, reducing grain yields or even killing the plant. Control efforts have included attempts to develop wheat varieties with characteristics which repel the insects.
Wheat Plants Insects