Hessian Fly
- Issue type
- pest
- Seedborne
- Not established by our sources
- Resistance code
- -
- Affects
- Wheat
Symptoms
A small gnat-like fly whose larvae feed on sap at the base of the plant, just above the crown. Infested seedlings are stunted and can die, so early infestations can take out a stand; on older plants single tillers die, often with an unusually broad, thick, bluish-green leaf. Spring infestations show as stems broken above a node near harvest, with brown capsule-like puparia behind the sheath.
Management
Resistant varieties are the most effective tool, alongside thorough destruction of infested stubble and volunteer wheat. K-State variety ratings are greenhouse tests against the Kansas (Great Plains) biotype; field populations are often mixtures of biotypes, so results vary.
Varieties with documented resistance
No variety here is described as resistant in words. The varieties below are rated on a numeric scale instead, which records how each one performed, susceptible ones included.
Varieties rated for this disease (69)
Rated on a 1-9 scale where 1 is most resistant, listed from the resistant end. A rating is a measurement, not a verdict: the susceptible end is shown too, because knowing what to avoid is half of choosing.
| Variety | Rating | Qualifier | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gallagher | 1 | Greenhouse test against the Kansas (Great Plains) biotype. | Independently observed |
| KS Hamilton | 1 | Greenhouse test against the Kansas (Great Plains) biotype. | Rated by its breeder |
| KS Silverado | 1 | Greenhouse test against the Kansas (Great Plains) biotype. | Rated by its breeder |
| LCS Chrome | 1 | Greenhouse test against the Kansas (Great Plains) biotype. | Independently observed |
| LCS Valiant | 1 | Greenhouse test against the Kansas (Great Plains) biotype. | Independently observed |
| Showdown | 1 | Greenhouse test against the Kansas (Great Plains) biotype. | Independently observed |
| AM Cartwright | 2 | Greenhouse test against the Kansas (Great Plains) biotype. | Independently observed |
| AP Roadrunner | 2 | Greenhouse test against the Kansas (Great Plains) biotype. | Independently observed |
| KS Territory | 2 | Greenhouse test against the Kansas (Great Plains) biotype. | Rated by its breeder |
| LCS Julep | 2 | Greenhouse test against the Kansas (Great Plains) biotype. | Independently observed |
| Smith’s Gold | 2 | Greenhouse test against the Kansas (Great Plains) biotype. | Independently observed |
| WB4401 | 4 | Greenhouse test against the Kansas (Great Plains) biotype. | Independently observed |
| WB4792 | 4 | Greenhouse test against the Kansas (Great Plains) biotype. | Independently observed |
| AP 24 AX | 5 | Greenhouse test against the Kansas (Great Plains) biotype. | Independently observed |
| Everest | 5 | Greenhouse test against the Kansas (Great Plains) biotype. | Rated by its breeder |
| Green Hammer | 5 | Greenhouse test against the Kansas (Great Plains) biotype. | Independently observed |
| TAM 114 | 5 | Resistance has been inconsistent in greenhouse testing (MF991 footnote c). Greenhouse test against the Kansas (Great Plains) biotype. | Independently observed |
| WB4347 | 5 | Greenhouse test against the Kansas (Great Plains) biotype. | Independently observed |
| WB4699 | 5 | Greenhouse test against the Kansas (Great Plains) biotype. | Independently observed |
| Zenda | 5 | Greenhouse test against the Kansas (Great Plains) biotype. | Rated by its breeder |
| AP18 AX | 6 | Greenhouse test against the Kansas (Great Plains) biotype. | Independently observed |
| AP503 CL2 | 6 | Greenhouse test against the Kansas (Great Plains) biotype. | Independently observed |
| SY Monument | 6 | Greenhouse test against the Kansas (Great Plains) biotype. | Independently observed |
| WB4422 | 6 | Greenhouse test against the Kansas (Great Plains) biotype. | Independently observed |
| WB4523 | 6 | Greenhouse test against the Kansas (Great Plains) biotype. | Independently observed |
| KS Dallas | 7 | Greenhouse test against the Kansas (Great Plains) biotype. | Rated by its breeder |
| KS Flintlock | 7 | Greenhouse test against the Kansas (Great Plains) biotype. | Rated by its breeder |
| KS Tradition | 7 | Greenhouse test against the Kansas (Great Plains) biotype. | Rated by its breeder |
| SY Wolf | 7 | Greenhouse test against the Kansas (Great Plains) biotype. | Independently observed |
| WB4269 | 7 | Greenhouse test against the Kansas (Great Plains) biotype. | Independently observed |
| AP EverRock | 8 | Greenhouse test against the Kansas (Great Plains) biotype. | Independently observed |
| AP Sunbird | 8 | Greenhouse test against the Kansas (Great Plains) biotype. | Independently observed |
| Bob Dole | 8 | Greenhouse test against the Kansas (Great Plains) biotype. | Rated by its breeder |
| Canvas | 8 | Greenhouse test against the Kansas (Great Plains) biotype. | Independently observed |
| Golden Hawk | 8 | Greenhouse test against the Kansas (Great Plains) biotype. | Independently observed |
| High Cotton | 8 | Greenhouse test against the Kansas (Great Plains) biotype. | Independently observed |
| KS Homesteader | 8 | Greenhouse test against the Kansas (Great Plains) biotype. | Rated by its breeder |
| Langin | 8 | Greenhouse test against the Kansas (Great Plains) biotype. | Independently observed |
| LCS Atomic AX | 8 | Greenhouse test against the Kansas (Great Plains) biotype. | Independently observed |
| Orange Blossom | 8 | Greenhouse test against the Kansas (Great Plains) biotype. | Independently observed |
| SY Rugged | 8 | Greenhouse test against the Kansas (Great Plains) biotype. | Independently observed |
| TAM 111 | 8 | Greenhouse test against the Kansas (Great Plains) biotype. | Independently observed |
| Uncharted | 8 | Greenhouse test against the Kansas (Great Plains) biotype. | Independently observed |
| WB4595 | 8 | Greenhouse test against the Kansas (Great Plains) biotype. | Independently observed |
| Whistler | 8 | Greenhouse test against the Kansas (Great Plains) biotype. | Independently observed |
| Winterhawk | 8 | Greenhouse test against the Kansas (Great Plains) biotype. | Independently observed |
| AP Bigfoot | 9 | Greenhouse test against the Kansas (Great Plains) biotype. | Independently observed |
| Butler’s Gold | 9 | Greenhouse test against the Kansas (Great Plains) biotype. | Independently observed |
| Byrd | 9 | Greenhouse test against the Kansas (Great Plains) biotype. | Independently observed |
| Danby | 9 | Greenhouse test against the Kansas (Great Plains) biotype. | Rated by its breeder |
| Doublestop CL Plus | 9 | Greenhouse test against the Kansas (Great Plains) biotype. | Independently observed |
| Guardian | 9 | Greenhouse test against the Kansas (Great Plains) biotype. | Independently observed |
| High Country | 9 | Greenhouse test against the Kansas (Great Plains) biotype. | Independently observed |
| KS Ahearn | 9 | Greenhouse test against the Kansas (Great Plains) biotype. | Rated by its breeder |
| KS Big Bow | 9 | Greenhouse test against the Kansas (Great Plains) biotype. | Rated by its breeder |
| KS Bill Snyder | 9 | Greenhouse test against the Kansas (Great Plains) biotype. | Rated by its breeder |
| KS Mako | 9 | Greenhouse test against the Kansas (Great Plains) biotype. | Rated by its breeder |
| KS Providence | 9 | Greenhouse test against the Kansas (Great Plains) biotype. | Rated by its breeder |
| KS Western Star | 9 | Greenhouse test against the Kansas (Great Plains) biotype. | Rated by its breeder |
| Larry | 9 | Greenhouse test against the Kansas (Great Plains) biotype. | Rated by its breeder |
| LCS Mint | 9 | Greenhouse test against the Kansas (Great Plains) biotype. | Independently observed |
| LCS Radar | 9 | Greenhouse test against the Kansas (Great Plains) biotype. | Independently observed |
| LCS Steel AX | 9 | Greenhouse test against the Kansas (Great Plains) biotype. | Independently observed |
| Paradise | 9 | Greenhouse test against the Kansas (Great Plains) biotype. | Independently observed |
| Snowmass | 9 | Greenhouse test against the Kansas (Great Plains) biotype. | Independently observed |
| Strad CL Plus | 9 | Greenhouse test against the Kansas (Great Plains) biotype. | Independently observed |
| T158 | 9 | Resistance has been inconsistent in greenhouse testing (MF991 footnote c). Greenhouse test against the Kansas (Great Plains) biotype. | Independently observed |
| TAM 112 | 9 | Greenhouse test against the Kansas (Great Plains) biotype. | Independently observed |
| Tatanka | 9 | Greenhouse test against the Kansas (Great Plains) biotype. | Rated by its breeder |
Rated by its breeder: the publisher of the rating also bred that variety. Still a measurement on the same scale as its rivals, but not an independent one.
Sources & References
Evidence: 2 sources, all independent references.
- Hessian Fly (MF2866) · Kansas State University Research and Extension (2023), University or Government · what rests on it
- Kansas Wheat Variety Guide 2026 (MF991) · Kansas State University Research and Extension (2026), University or Government · what rests on it