Stubble in tilled plots had enough soil clinging to crowns to insulate larvae within the stubs from freezing and desiccation. Experiments conducted during the winter of 1996-97 indicate that for tillage to be effective, stubble should be free of soil that would insulate insects from freezing and desiccating conditions. Equipment that breaks up the soil clods and exposes stubs to environmental conditions has provided some encouraging results. Insecticides have been evaluated for a number of years against sawfly, including different chemicals, application techniques, and timing of applications. Results have been inconsistent and are not recommended for sawfly control.
Adults are relatively easy to control through contact activity of insecticides tested.
However, the sawfly population is not controlled because eggs and larvae are protected within the stem. Systemic insecticides applied either as seed or foliar treatments have provided only negligible control of sawfly eggs and larvae. Multiple applications, needed for control of the sawfly population as they emerge from pupation over time are not cost effective. We will continue to evaluate new products and application technologies as they become available. Using a solid stem variety of winter or spring wheat is one of the better options, currently available for sawfly management.