Susceptibility of cereal and non‐cereal grasses to attack by Hessian fly ( <i>Mayetiola destructor</i> (Say))

Abstract

Abstract The susceptibility of cereal, pasture, and wild grasses to attack by Hessian fly ( Mayetiola destructor (Say)) was investigated by quantifying egglaying responses of adult females and the growth and survival of feeding larvae. A wide range of attractiveness to egglaying adult females was observed, not only between grass species but also within grass species (e.g., wheat). Larval growth and development occurred on all of the New Zealand wheat cultivars, New Zealand barley cultivars, and New Zealand barley breeding lines that were tested. A small number of the United States wheat cultivars and New Zealand wheat breeding lines that were tested did not support the growth of larvae and therefore were resistant to Hessian fly. In addition to wheat and barley, Hessian fly laid eggs and survived as feeding larvae on couch, barley grass, and prairie grass (both wild and cultivated species of the latter). Relative to wheat seedlings, seedlings of the cultivated prairie grass ( Bromus willdenowii ’Grasslands Matua'), appeared to be an inferior host; larvae feeding on wheat seedlings attained greater pupal weights than larvae feeding on prairie grass seedlings.