A group of researchers from Montana State University, Colorado State University, Kansas State University, and North Dakota State University are being led by the University of Nebraska- Lincoln (UNL) and the USDA- Agriculture Research Service (ARS) to improve the understanding of producers’ needs considering the threat posed by the wheat stem sawfly.The “Great Plains Sawfly Survey Project” is the first step in a combined effort to manage the wheat pest.
The wheat stem sawfly has been a key pest in several locations throughout wheat production areas of the Great Plains, particularly over the last decade.
“The reasons for their increase in pest status are likely varied and not well understood,” said Jeff Bradshaw, Professor of Entomology and Director Doctor of Plant Health Program at UNL. “Equally challenging to wheat has been the slow pace of the development of solutions for this pest.The challenges in developing viable pest management solutions to this pest can be attributed, in part, to needs for increased wheat research support.”
