Photo by C. Hoelscher. Eggs, although rarely seen, are thin, and cylindrical and laid along the veins of leaf sheaths. They are uniform glossy red when deposited, they turn a darker red at one end and opaque white at the other just before hatching. Adult flies emerge in spring and lay eggs on host plants.
Summer is spent in field stubble.
They are mainly active in the spring and fall, although there may be up to six generations per year. Hessian flies attack small grains, including wheat, rye, barley and some wild grasses. Adults are most easily reared from the pupal stages by placing infested crowns in a plastic bag. For additional information, contact your local Texas extension service agent, or search for other state extension service offices.