Shoot Fly

Scientific name:Atherigona naqvii
Description Shoot fly has emerged as an important and regular pest of wheat crop since the adoption of semi-dwarf varieties. The fly is about 3 mm in body length and dark gray in colour. Their prevalence has been reported from Rajsthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Panjab and Haryana. Infestation can occur during all crop growth stages but damage to young seedling and tiller is most important.
Nature of damage he newly hatched maggots creep into the leaf sheaths of the tillers and cut the central growing shoots causing dead hearts. In case of severe infestation the plant assumes bushy appearance with large number of tillers.
Control measures The timely sown crops (mid-November). If, however, late sowing are done and shoot fly incidence (dead hearts) is noticed, spraying of cypermethrin@50g ai/ha control the insect.