Latest Cecidomyiidae Stories
Wheat's genetic resistance to Hessian flies has been failing, but a group of Purdue University and U.S. Department of Agriculture scientists believe that other plants may soon be able to come to the rescue.
Many of the genes that allow wheat to ward off Hessian flies are no longer effective in the southeastern United States, and care should be taken to ensure that resistance genes that so far haven't been utilized in commercial wheat lines are used prudently.
Resistant wheat plants stave off attacks by Hessian fly larvae by essentially destroying the fly's midgut and its ability to absorb nutrients.
Agricultural inspectors say a shipment of Chinese fencing infested with caterpillars led to other invasive pests in U.S. imports from the same supplier. The caterpillars were discovered several months ago at the port of Seattle, the Seattle Times reported.
- A political dynamiter.