Small grain-Wheat stem maggot

Meromyza pratorum and Meromyza saltatrix

Pest description and crop damage The adult fly is light to dark green or green-yellow with a dark stripe on the dorsum of thorax. This insect's presence is recognized most easily by larval damage: white heads on headed culms. Larvae sometimes attack young tillers, cutting off the central shoot. Occasionally, larvae attack heads and destroy floral parts or developing seed.

They are seen most often on wheat but also attack barley, rye, and oats. These insects have severely damaged spring barley in Klamath Falls, OR.

Management-chemical control

Insecticides are not currently labeled for control of these pests.