Hessian Fly (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) Damage and Forage Production of Winter Wheat

Abstract

Effect of Hessian fly, Mayetiola destructor (Say), damage on the forage production of susceptible and resistant cultivars of soft red winter wheat, Triticum aestivum L., was investigated in three experiments. Hessian fly damage reduced total dry matter yield of forage by 14 to 46%. Damage in all experiments was greatest during the first cutting when plants were in the seedling stage. Total forage yield declined linearly with increasing percentage of infested tillers when January infestations exceeded about 10%infested tillers. Low to moderate levels of Hessian fly damage reduced forage yield primarily by a reduction in tiller size and weight rather than tiller density. Severe infestations reduced tiller size and density. Hessian fly damage did not greatly affect crude protein or acid detergent fiber content of forage. Our study documents the potential risk of severe Hessian fly damage to wheat forage production. The economic benefit of using host plant resistance to control the Hessian fly in winter wheat grown for forage averaged $105/ha in these studies.