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Hessian fly

Description

  • Adult: Small, dark, leggy, two-winged insects that resemble mosquitoes.
  • Larvae: Reddish or white maggots that become stationary once they start feeding. Eventually, their skin hardens into a brown shell or "flaxseed."
  • Eggs: Small, slender and reddish. Laid end-to-end on the undersides of leaves. 
     

Timing of damage: Fall and spring

Type of damage: Stunted growth, often with thickened bluish-green leaves.

Scouting: Identify poor stands and check the base of the plant for maggots or "flaxseed" by pulling back the sheaths of several leaves.

Economic threshold: None established. However, planting fly-resistant varieties and planting after the fly-free date will help reduce the chance of infestation.

Crop
Wheat
Age
Adult
Color of markings
None
Timing of damage
Spring
Fall
Insect color
Black
Insect markings
None
Insect type
Other
Insect length
Less than 1/2"
Type of damage to crop
Leaf discoloration
Stunted growth
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