The Hessian fly or barley midge, Mayetiola destructor, is a species of fly that is a significant pest of cereal crops including wheat, barley and rye. Though a native of Asia, upon its discovery it was believed to have been transported into North America in the straw bedding of Hessian troops during the American Revolution (1775–1783), thus the origin of its common name. However, the report of an inquiry made in 1788 by Sir Joseph Banks states that "no such insect could be found to exist in Germany or any other part of Europe". Nonetheless, it appears that this species, or one exactly like it in habits, had been known for at least a century prior to the American Revolution from a locality near Geneva, and also for a long time from some regions in France.[1]
There are usually two generations a year but may be up to five. In the spring the dark-coloured female lays about 250 to 300 reddish eggs on plants, usually where the stems are covered by leaves; the larvae feed on the sap and weaken the plants so that they cannot bear grain.
The Hessian fly was described by Thomas Say in 1817. It is a very harmful insect. It mainly attacks the stem, although if it is especially hungry it will eat any part of the plant it can find.[citation needed]
In 1836, a severe infestation of Hessian flies resulted in a crop shortage aggravating the financial problems of farmers prior to the Panic of 1837.[2]
^Harris, Thaddeus W. (1862). Flint, Charles L. (ed.). A treatise on some of the insects injurious to vegetation. New York: Orange Judd and Company. p. 568. doi:10.5962/bhl.title.34053.
^McGrane, Reginald Charles. (1924, 1965) The Panic of 1837: Some Financial Problems of the Jackson Era. New York: Russell & Russell Inc.
The Hessianfly or barley midge, Mayetiola destructor, is a species of fly that is a significant pest of cereal crops including wheat, barley and rye....
the British Empire Hessian (boot), a style of boot Hessian fabric, coarse woven material Hessianfly or barley midge, a species of fly (thought to be introduced...
4-5 weeks. The larvae of most gall gnats (Cecidomyiidae), such as the Hessianfly larva, form galls in flowers, leaves, stems, roots or other plant parts...
are aquatic during the larval stage. Some Cecidomyiidae (e.g., the Hessianfly) are considered significant pests of some plant species. The larvae of...
"Approved Quarantine Treatment for HessianFly (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) in Large-Size Hay Bales and HessianFly and Cereal Leaf Beetle (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)...
defaulted. In 1836 and 1837 American wheat crops also suffered from Hessianfly and winter kill which caused the price of wheat in America to increase...
prominent (most). Many species are economically significant, especially the Hessianfly, a wheat pest, as the galls cause severe damage. Other important pests...
Mayetiola destructor Hessianfly Insecta Diptera Cecidomyiidae Wheat (spring and winter) is the preferred host of the Hessianfly. Barley, oats, triticale...
stem gall midge, is a cereal pest in Tunisia, closely related to the Hessianfly. Bouktila, Dhia; Mezghani, Maha; Marrakchi, Mohamed; Makni, Hanem (October...
allied species, the Hessianfly. As is typical for agricultural pests, the species is known by a number of common names, including wheat fly, lemon wheat blossom...
findings. Morris studied the habits of wheat flies that resembled the Hessianfly, concluding that the eggs were laid in the grain rather than the stalk...
link) Say, T. 1817. Some account of the insect known by the name of HessianFly, and of a parasitic insect that feeds on it. Journal of the Academy of...
prospered from the grain trade into the 1840s, the soil was depleted, the HessianFly agricultural pest had arrived and the Huron Tract beckoned; dozens of...
the grasshoppers, chinch bugs, Hessianfly, and other insect pests. He suggested late planting to overcome Hessianfly infestations at no cost. From 1938...
than 500 publications bear his name. The Chinch Bug in Iowa (1888) The HessianFly in the United States (1898) Insects Affecting Domestic Animals: An Account...
University, Painter helped breed wheat cultivars that were resistant to Hessianfly, stem borers, and aphids. Painter's technique was to scan heavily infested...
border states. Thomas, working with Charles V. Riley, found that the Hessianfly, which was terrorizing the wheat and rye of the western states, was most...
American literature began as far back as 1788, when a report on the Hessianfly was issued by Sir Joseph Banks; in 1817 Thomas Say began his writings;...
Cecidomyiinae The Hessianfly (Mayetiola destructor) from the subfamily Cecidomyiinae Scientific classification Domain: Eukaryota Kingdom: Animalia Phylum:...
and in particular took effective measures to check the ravages of the Hessianfly and weevil. In August 1858, he was named Commissioner of Crown Lands...
improved disease resistance to diseases such as leaf rust and pests such as Hessianfly. His 'Knox' and 'Monon' cultivars had the additional benefit of maturing...
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