Should You Spray For Hessian Fly?

Dr. Dominic Reisig

Associate Professor and Extension Specialist

Around this time of the year, Hessian fly adults are definitely active.  Many growers spraying herbicide are wondering if they will get a return on investment tank mixing with an insecticide- something I’ve done on my early planted wheat already.  Long story short, a spray this fall will only be worthwhile if you meet all these conditions: 1) planted wheat during October; 2) have historical pressure; 3) planted a susceptible variety ; 4) have not used an insecticidal seed treatment and are past two weeks following planting.  In the vast majority of these cases, using only one of these management tactics will effectively manage Hessian fly.  Keep in mind that the insecticide is targeting adults, which are only active when temperatures are above 50 degrees F.  So a spray today would not be as effective as a spray following this cold spell.  Read on for more detailed information.

The time of peak Hessian fly activity can vary from year to year.  For example, in the fall of 2010 and 2013, Hessian fly was active from mid-November to mid-December.  In 2012, Hessian fly pressure was heaviest around the end of November to the beginning of December.  We planted wheat at both Kinston and Plymouth this year early (October 10 and 24, 2014) to attract Hessian flies. There were eggs two weeks after planting where the wheat was planted October 10 and larvae started showing up the week following eggs (the last week of October).  For the wheat planted October 24, we have just started seeing eggs.  As usual, the resistant varieties are the best management tactic of choice (best return on investment).  We’ve seen a little bump from using a seed treatment and spraying.

The best time to spray is when eggs are first present, but these are difficult to see.  Some consultants and scouts are trained to find them.  Without scouting eggs, you will be just guessing as to whether or not Hessian fly is in your field.  There are certain situations where multiple tactics are needed to prevent yield loss.  These are only under the heaviest pressure situations and should be based on your past experience with this pest.

As mentioned above, the point of the spray is kill to adult flies, with the hope of some residual to kill flies that may attack in the future.  Sprays may have some efficacy on larvae as they hatch from the eggs, but this has never been demonstrated with research and is open to question.  Once larvae reach the base of the plant, they remain protected from foliar insecticide sprays.  Results are best when sprayed at the 2-3 leaf stage of wheat, or slightly before.  Use the highest labeled rate of your choice of pyrethroid.

Source:ncsu.edu