HESSIAN FLY, Mayetiola destructor (Say), POPULATIONS IN THE NORTH OF TUNISIA: VIRULENCE, YIELD LOSS ASSESSMENT AND PHENOLOGICAL DATA

• Published in: Chilean journal of agricultural research 2012-11, Vol.71 (3)
• Main Authors: Makni, Hanem, Bouktila, Dhia, Mezghani, Maha, Makni, Mohamed
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Mayetiola destructor, wheat, biotype, generations, integrated pest management
• ISSN: 0718-5820

Hessian fly, Mayetiola destructor (Say), is a destructive pest of wheat worldwide and an endemic pest in Tunisia. Two natural populations of this insect from the North of Tunisia were evaluated, in the field, for their virulence, based on response developed by bread wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars carrying H3, H5, H6, H7H8, H11, H13 and H16 resistance genes. H11, H13 and H16 showed a high effectiveness against both populations; therefore, their implication in Hessian fly breeding programs would be of interest. The level of infestation, as well as the yield loss, was assessed, based on the percentage of infested plants and variation in growth parameters due to infestation. The percentage of infested plants, over a 2-yr period in Mateur, averaged 18.82% for durum wheat ( Triticum turgidum L. subsp. durum (Desf.) Husn.) and 32.50% for bread wheat. For the improved durum wheat cv. Karim used as reference, the plant height, number of internodes, number of productive tillers per plant, and 100-seed weight were negatively affected by infestation, while the number of tillers per plant was positively affected. Aiming to update information about the annual number of the fly generations occurring on wheat, we surveyed infestation in Jédéida. At least three Hessian fly generations were detected on bread wheat and durum wheat. Continued regular surveying of Hessian fly populations in terms of virulence, impact on yield and annual generations is required for optimal deployment of resistance genes and integrated management of Hessian fly across all wheat production areas.