Parasites and lady beetles cannot reproduce at these temperatures. Insecticide treatment might work for irrigated wheat, but only under certain conditions. Some fields had greenbug numbers that high since last October with other fields over 500 per foot of row. Temperatures need to be at least 65 to 70 degrees before insecticide is applied. Colder levels drastically reduce overall effectiveness.
Control can be difficult because greenbugs historically become resistant to some insecticides.
Dryland crops are rated very poor at this time. If the wheat hasn't been hurt or destroyed by drought, freezes or greenbug by now, then whatever action a producer might take would be marginal at best, Patrick said. If conditions remain the same, then there just won't be much dryland wheat to harvest.