$84,000
This will support research on wheat stem sawfly (WSS), and other wheat pests of potential significance. This program will involve surveys to evaluate the WSS flight timing monitoring at Orchard/New Raymer, WSS stubble infestation survey across Colorado, solidness scoring and dissections of wheat stems of the wheat breeding program’s Elite trials and WSS trials, and assessment of insecticide treatments against WSS. Additional research priorities include identifying volatile compounds in Clearfield (CL) Plus herbicide-tolerant varieties that deter WSS infestation, understanding the impact of biocontrol agents, such as parasitoid wasps and naturally occurring entomopathogenic fungi on WSS infestation, and conducting surveys for aphids and mite vectors of wheat viruses. The funding will partially support an entomology research associate and 2-3 undergraduate students and will cover operating expenses.
37th year of a continuing program for wheat entomology research under the current leadership of Dr. Punya Nachappa, Department of Agricultural Biology.