Wheat Stem Sawfly Adults Observed in South Dakota

A wheat stem sawfly with long antennae, smoky wings, and black and yellow coloration.
Figure 1. A male wheat stem sawfly adult with smoky brown wings and a long, slender black-and-yellow body. (Courtesy: Pest and Diseases Image Library, Bugwood.org)

Written collaboratively by Adam Varenhorst, Philip Rozeboom, Patrick Wagner, and Brad McManus.

Originally Submitted: July 19, 2024

During the 2024 wheat stem sawfly survey, wheat stem sawfly adults were captured in northwestern South Dakota (Figure 1). The observation of wheat stem sawfly adults occurred in Harding County and was approximately one month later than the observations from 2023.

A statewide survey for wheat stem sawfly activity was started in 2023 to determine the distribution of wheat stem sawflies within the state. This research is funded by the South Dakota Wheat Commission. Although management of the adults is not recommended, the observation of the wheat stem sawfly is used to determine areas where solid stem wheat varieties should be considered. For more information on wheat stem sawflies, see the article, Wheat Stem Sawfly: An Overview.

Related Topics

Wheat Insects

Related Content

A hand holding a brownish gray moth with a valley of green grass and trees in the background.

Army Cutworm Migration Swarms Detected in Western South Dakota

Mass populations of army cutworm moths are being reported to entomologists at South Dakota State University. Thus far, these migratory swarms have only been observed in far western South Dakota, particularly within the Black Hills.

Green wheat leaves with yellow streaks throughout.

Wheat Streak Mosaic Virus Complex: Breaking the Green Bridge

As wheat harvest proceeds, it won’t be long until winter wheat planting is underway in South Dakota. To effectively reduce wheat streak mosaic virus, it is important to manage the green bridge effect to slow spread of disease in newly emerging wheat fields.

Wheat plants infected with wheat streak mosaic virus.

Volunteer Wheat and Kochia Management With Herbicides Will Likely Require Two Passes

Wheat curl mites, which carry wheat streak mosaic virus, use volunteer wheat and grass weeds as secondary hosts to infest recently planted winter wheat crops. Therefore, effective management of these plants before winter wheat planting is critical.