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Extension Entomology

Tag: Hessian flies

Volunteer Wheat

Posted on by Sharon Schroll

–by Dr. Jeff Whitworth and Dr. Holly Schwarting

Frequent rain over the last few weeks has played havoc with volunteer wheat control.  Each rain seems to bring another flush of volunteer.

volunteer-wheat

 

This is an ideal situation for most wheat pests, i.e. Hessian flies, winter grain mites, wheat curl mite, and the wheat aphids (mainly greenbugs, bird cherry oat and English grain) as well as the pathogens they may vector.  Thus, please remember to destroy all volunteer at least 2 weeks prior to planting to help manage these pests.

Volunteer Wheat

Posted on by Sharon Schroll

–by Dr. Jeff Whitworth and Dr. Holly Schwarting

Wheat harvest is completed, or at least real close, across the State. So, it is time to start thinking volunteer wheat control. As wheat producers know, volunteer wheat is very persistent. Every time it rains or the fields are irrigated, another flush or crop of volunteer wheat germinates. Thus, control needs to be just as persistent. Volunteer wheat can be a harborage for most wheat pests, especially bird cherry-oat aphids, Brown wheat mites, English grain aphids, greenbugs, Hessian flies, wheat curl mites, and many of the more common pathogens. Season-long control is always best, but rarely practical. So, volunteer wheat eradication at least 2 weeks prior to planting is the next best management practice.