Heavy rains can kill immature cereal leaf beetles. If heavy rains occur between the time a field is checked and insecticides are to be applied, wait for the foliage to dry and check the fields again. Cereal leaf beetles are controlled by natural enemies in the northern United States. Since 1995, the USDA Animal Plant Health Inspection Service, the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, and the University of Georgia have been releasing stingless wasps that attack cereal leaf beetle eggs and larvae. Eventually, this and other natural enemies will help keep cereal leaf beetle populations below economically damaging levels.
Ladybird beetles are also important predators and can destroy many eggs and larvae.
Biological control agent attacking a cereal leaf beetle egg Suggested Insecticides for Control of Cereal Leaf Beetle on Wheat Insecticide Rate Comments lambda cyhalothrin 0.02 to 0.025 lb. This is a restricted use pesticide. Do not apply within 21 days of grain harvest. There is no waiting interval for grazing. A 21-day interval is required before harvest for grain or grazing.