Short-winged conehead

The Short-winged conehead (Conocephalus discolor) is an insect belonging to the family Tettigoniidae (bush-crickets) within the order Orthoptera. While often considered a secondary pest, it is increasingly recognized for its impact on agriculture due to its phytophagous habits, which can lead to localized crop damage during periods of high population density.

This pest is primarily found in damp grasslands, meadows, and adjacent agricultural crops. It commonly infests cereals, such as wheat, barley, and rye, as well as forage legumes. In favorable climate conditions, these insects migrate into fields, concentrating their feeding activity on the reproductive parts of the plants and the tender foliage of cereal crops.

The lifecycle of the Short-winged conehead follows a process of incomplete metamorphosis. The insect overwinters in the egg stage, with eggs embedded in plant tissues. The nymphs emerge in spring and go through several molting stages. The adults are highly mobile and active throughout the summer, with their diet consisting of plant tissue, pollen, and developing grain kernels.

Damage caused by this species is characterized by ragged leaf edges and direct consumption of grains within the ear or head of the plant. Such mechanical damage not only reduces yield but also facilitates the ingress of fungal spores, potentially leading to secondary infections. High infestations are particularly damaging during the milk-ripening stage of cereals.

Management strategies for this pest include:

• Regular field monitoring to detect early signs of infestation.
• Management of margins and field edges by mowing vegetation to reduce breeding sites.
• Application of selective insecticides when infestation thresholds are exceeded.
• Promoting biodiversity in the surrounding landscape to enhance natural predator populations.