In 2014, Randa was trying to find her footing as a field scientist in a new place, and collected preliminary data in both alfalfa and wheat systems. We collected wheat stems from several producer fields in SE Wyoming and recorded sawfly infestation rates and searched for evidence of sawfly parasitoids. We did not see any evidence of sawfly parasitoids. We found sawfly infestations in many producer fields (no surprise to WY wheat growers who know this is a problem).
Currently, we are focusing our efforts on insect pest management in alfalfa, however we recognize the importance of wheat in Wyoming, and specifically the struggle with the problematic wheat stem sawfly. We will post resources to this site soon of our colleagues throughout the region doing important and relevant work on this problem.
Insect Agroecology 