Wheat is one of the main grain crops in China, with a vast planting area in the northern regions. With the development of mechanization, wheat yields have been continuously increasing, but they are occasionally affected by wheat pests. So, what pests are commonly encountered during the growth of wheat? How can we monitor them to ensure the quality and yield of wheat cultivation?

I. Common Pests

1. Wheat Aphids

Wheat aphids are one of the common pests of wheat and are widely distributed, found almost everywhere across the country. During the growth process, they pierce and suck nutrients from wheat, affecting photosynthesis and nutrient absorption. After the wheat heads form, they concentrate on damaging the ears, resulting in unfilled grains. In severe cases, the ears turn dry and white, failing to produce seeds, and the entire plant may wither and die.

2. Wheat Midge

There are two main types of wheat midges in China: the red wheat midge and the yellow wheat midge. The red wheat midge primarily occurs along riverbanks in plain areas, while the yellow wheat midge is mainly found in plateau regions and high-altitude areas. Wheat midges are destructive pests whose larvae damage the flowers, seeds, or grains. The larvae hide inside the glumes and suck the sap from the filling grains, causing shriveled or empty husks.

3. Wheat Spider Mites

There are two common types of wheat spider mites in China's wheat-producing areas: the long-legged wheat spider mite and the round wheat spider mite. Both types typically cause damage during the spring and autumn seasons. Infested wheat leaves develop white spots that later turn yellow. Mild symptoms result in stunted growth and dwarfed plants, while severe symptoms can lead to drying and death of the wheat.

4. Wheat Sawfly

Wheat sawflies mainly occur in areas north of the Huai River. The larvae damage wheat leaves by chewing from the edges inward, creating notches. In severe cases, they can completely devour the leaves. They only harm the leaves, and while feeding, their mouthparts cut the leaves into neat, piece-by-piece sections.

5. Wheat Wireworm

The larvae feed on sown seeds in the soil, consuming the endosperm and preventing germination. For already sprouted seedlings, they damage the fibrous roots, main roots, and stems, causing the plants to wither and die. This results in missing seedlings, broken rows, and even the destruction of entire fields.

II. Monitoring Solutions

With technological advancements, the monitoring and early warning of wheat pests have gradually shifted from traditional manual methods to intelligent device monitoring. In particular, the application of pest forecasting lamps in wheat pest monitoring has significantly improved the timeliness of pest forecasts and reduced the workload for staff.

Staff can monitor pest types, quantities, and analyze pest development trends through smart agricultural cloud platforms on mobile phones or computers without needing to visit the field. This allows farmers to be notified in advance and take scientific control measures before pests spread widely, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of wheat pest management.