Location: Soil Management and Sugarbeet Research
Project Number: 3012-12210-001-033-S
Project Type: Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Sep 3, 2025
End Date: Jul 31, 2028
Objective:
The University of Nebraska and USDA-ARS have developed a new solution for wheat stem sawfly management - the beneficial bug baler. The objective of this collaborative research is to assist in the development of the surveillance, assessment, and evaluation of the beneficial bug baler solution for the management of the wheat stem sawfly.
Approach:
We plan on deploying a surveillance/survey of the wheat stem sawfly and its parasitism because of our co-developed "Beneficial Bug Bale" (B3) system. For the survey, at least 8 locations (from previous release locations) will be samples before and after wheat harvest (June and July). For each pre and post-harvest sample (for each field) we will use two sample protocols that have been co-developed by our team; i.e., emergence-tube samples (pre-harvest) and cut stub samples (post-harvest). Subsampling location, the number of WSS cut and uncut wheat stems will be counted within one meter of row for cut stub samples. Additionally, we will work to develop phenological model of Bracon cephi and B. lissogaster relative to wheat stem sawfly phenology using populations at the High Plains Ag Lab (Sidney, NE) and at least one other location in Nebraska (and possibly Colorado and North Dakota if additional external funding should allow). For phenology models, sweep net samples will be collected at each of or model sites at least twice weekly (starting at parasitoid or sawfly emergence). Additionally, at each sampling time, 5 subsamples of wheat will be collected and split to assess sawfly infestation and parasitism. All specimens will be collected and preserved in alcohol for later ID and future barcoding. These data provide additional evidence in support of future funding efforts to integrate B3 with other pest management solutions that arise from our team toward the solving the wheat stem sawfly problem.