As I’ve noted earlier this season, the vast majority (99%) of wheat fields in the state would not benefit from a spring spray for Hessian fly. Where fields will benefit from a spring spray, applications should be timed to kill adults, not eggs.
Last Tuesday, my technicians noted Hessian fly eggs in Robeson County, but not in Sampson or Washington Counties. Today (3/28) I noticed eggs on wheat in Washington County.
This tells me that Hessian fly adults are active and a foliar spray now would be well-timed. The spray will likely be ineffective on eggs that are already laid. Sprays that are applied now are too early for cereal leaf beetle (more information here). You’ll want to scout wheat in a few weeks to see if you need to spray this insect.
