Surveys of cereal diseases and pests in the Netherlands. 6. Occurrence of insect pests in winter wheat

Abstract

Between 1980 and 1986, commercial winter wheat fields at the milky-ripe stage were surveyed for insect pests. Leaf injuring insects were common. On average 42% and 95% of the surveyed fields were injured by leaf miners and the cereal leaf beetle, respectively. On average 14% of the leaves was skeletonised by the cereal leaf beetle and leaf injury tended to be high in seasons after winters with low temperatures. Blossom midges were the most important midges. In the period 1980–1984, the orange and lemon blossom midge infested 71 and 21% of the surveyed fields, respectively, Insecticides were mainly used to control aphids. Despite control, on average 80% of the fields and 22% of the tillers were infested by aphids.