Durum Spring Wheat Susceptibility to Wheat Stem Sawfly (Hymenoptera: Cephidae)

The wheat stem sawfly, Cephus cinctus Norton, is the primary arthropod pest of wheat, Triticum aestivum Thell, in the Northern Great Plains. Yet, information is unavailable on wheat stem sawfly infestation potential of currently grown spring durum cultivars. Field trials were conducted in 1998 and 1999 to determine wheat stem sawfly susceptibility of 13 spring durum cultivars and one hard red spring wheat. Preharvest infestations ranged from 2–55%. Postharvest larval infestations of stubble ranged from 1–9.5%. Three durum cultivars ‘Lloyd’, ‘Plenty’, and ‘Sceptre’ appear to offer potential, as a rotational crop, for management of wheat stem sawfly.