Effects of Wheat Leaf Pubescence on the Hessian Fly12

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Abstract
The effects of leaf pubescence of wheat on Mayetiola destructor (Say) were studied in greenhouse and field experiments. Ovipositing females were observed to be more restless on the pubescent-leaved ‘Vel’ wheat than on the glabrous-leaved ‘Arthur’ wheat. Vel generally had fewer eggs than Arthur, and a higher percentage was on the abaxial surface which led to a lower number of successfully established larvae on Vel. Also, mean larval length was less and the larvae were farther from the 4th basal node on Vel than on Arthur. Further, a significantly lower percentage of the eggs on Vel hatched and developed to the puparium stage than on Arthur. These laboratory studies were confirmed by field observations that showed the effectiveness of leaf pubescence in reducing natural populations of the Hessian fly. Leaf pubescence of wheat appears to be a potentially valuable source of resistance to the Hessian fly.

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