Cereal Leaf Beetles in Wheat

 

Populations of cereal leaf beetle are increasing in Ohio.  Although adults can feed on wheat, the larvae do most of the damage.  These larvae are small, gray and moist, and are covered with a substance resembling bird droppings.  Damaged wheat appears “frosted” as the cereal leaf beetle feeds and strips away leaf material.  Wheat fields are best inspected using a sweep net or by walking the field.  Infestations exceeding 2 larvae per stem may require an insecticide treatment to prevent further loss.