Agronomic Practices that Affect Hessian Fly Populations

• Crop Rotation
• Planting Date
• Control Volunteer Wheat
• Tillage and Burning
• Post Harvest Practices

Crop Rotation

Crop rotation helps reduce the chance of infestation by Hessian flies because the Hessian fly oversummers in wheat stubble. Rotations that prevent new wheat from being planted into or near a previous wheat crop’s stubble will reduce the chances of Hessian fly infestation.

This data set, collected in Alabama in 2009, shows the effects of crop rotation, as well as the effect of distance from oversummering wheat stubble, on Hessian fly populations:

Planting Date

Historic Hessian "fly-free" planting dates to avoid fall damage

courtesy USDA ARS

Effect of Planting Date on Hessian Fly Infestation in Susceptible Winter Wheat at Plains, Georgia

Source: David Buntin, University of Georgia

Control Volunteer Wheat

Volunteer wheat is an important resource for the first generation of Hessian fly. It should be controlled as soon as it emerges in the early fall.

Tillage and Burning

Effect of Moldboard Plowing on Hessian Fly Infestation in the Fall and Spring

Slide courtesy David Buntin, University of Georgia

Slide courtesy of David Buntin, University of Georgia