2019-2020 Annual Report: Cereal Leaf Beetle meets Biocontrol

Cereal leaf beetle (CLB), a significant pest of wheat and barley, is typically controlled with insecticides. Timely scouting of CLB populations and spraying according to economic thresholds is an important IPM approach. Significant control could be possible with the use of a natural predator, the CLB larval parasitoid wasp, Tetrastichus julis. In Washington State, this parasitoid has nearly eliminated the need for insecticide sprays for CLB.

photo of cereal leaf beetle larva that has been infested with wasp larvae — CAPTION: Cereal leaf beetle larvae like to cover themselves, but in this case, BIOCONTROL is at work. This larva has been infested with wasp larvae.

Can a robust parasitoid population provide similar results here? Our multi-year research project goals include surveys and releases, and to increase parasitoid populations by establishing multiple on-farm field insectaries around the state. Small grains farmers are excited about this biocontrol option and are highly interested in the cost-savings associated with potential reductions in necessary pesticide applications.

Project Leaders: Jaime Cummings and Ken Wise. Jaime is no longer with the program so please address questions to Ken

Here are more photos from Ken and some CLB resources from Penn State and NYSIPM