Rye stalk fly
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The scientific name of this insect is *Oscinella frit* (Linnaeus), which belongs to the order Diptera and family Syringidae. It is commonly known as the Swedish wheat fly. This pest is widely distributed across northern China, ranging from Inner Mongolia and Xinjiang, with its southern boundary slightly beyond the Yellow River, reaching areas such as Tai'an in Shandong, Zhenba in Shaanxi, eastern parts of the Bohai Sea, western Gansu, and even as far as Kashgar in Xinjiang. It is commonly found in wheat-growing regions throughout Shandong, Zibo, Hebei, Shanxi, Gansu, Ningxia, and Qinghai.
The primary host plants include wheat, barley, rye, oats, and corn. The larvae are particularly damaging to the heart or young ears of these crops, causing the affected areas to wither or die. Infestations tend to be more severe before the plant reaches maturity. Typically, one generation affects spring wheat seedlings, the second generation targets oat ears, and the third generation attacks winter wheat.
Morphologically, the adult is about 1.8 mm long, with a black body that appears slightly thick. The pronotum is black, and the antennae are black with white tips and transparent wings. The front legs are black, while the hind legs are brown. The eggs are white, elongated, and feature a distinct longitudinal groove and ridge. The last-instar larvae measure approximately 4.5 mm in length, with a small, pointed head and a rounded tail end, featuring two short projections at the tip. Newly hatched larvae are nearly transparent, becoming cylindrical and yellowish-white as they mature. When fully grown, they measure about 3 mm, are tan in color, and have four small protrusions at the front and two at the back.
In terms of life habits, this species has 3–4 generations per year. The mature larvae overwinter in the stems of winter crops or wild grasses. In the following spring, when the snow begins to melt, they emerge. After about 20 days, they develop into the first generation of adults. Eggs are laid 10 to 38 days later, with each female laying up to 70 eggs. These eggs are typically deposited on the stems or ligules of the second or third leaves of seedlings, or on the surface of the leaves, occasionally in the soil or on the ears.
Newly hatched larvae bore into the stems and feed on the lower part of the heart or ear buds, causing them to wither and eventually die. The entire life cycle can take between 22 and 79 days, depending on environmental conditions.
For control measures, it is recommended to follow standard practices for managing wheat stalk flies, including cultural, biological, and chemical methods tailored to the specific crop and region. Monitoring infestations early and applying appropriate interventions can significantly reduce damage and protect yield.