Wheat Stem Fly (Gout Fly)
Small flying pests with a big appetite for your harvest!
Physical characteristics
The wheat stem fly (Chlorops pumilionis), also known as gout fly, is a small insect about 4 mm long. It has a yellowish body with black stripes on the thorax and abdomen. The wings are transparent and longer than the body.
Biology and behavior
They have two generations per year. Adults fly in May-June and August-September. Females lay eggs on young wheat plants. Larvae feed inside the stems, causing characteristic damage.
Harm
Larvae damage the central leaf and the top part of the stem, leading to deformation or death of the plant. Damaged plants often do not form ears or yield less. In severe infestations, losses can reach 30-40% of the harvest.
What you can do
Apply proper crop rotation, avoiding planting wheat after wheat. Observe optimal sowing dates. Destroy volunteer plants and weeds that can serve as a reservoir for the pest. Use resistant varieties where possible.
Professional control
Our specialists offer an integrated approach to wheat stem fly control. We monitor the population using pheromone traps. We apply targeted insecticides during critical stages of crop development. We offer consultations for optimizing agrotechnical measures. We develop personalized prevention and control strategies tailored to specific field conditions.