Wichita ? Abundant precipitation during the fall and winter has virtually ended five years of drought over much of Kansas, but wheat farmers now have another potential problem to deal with this spring.

Extension agents in Sedgwick County are warning wheat farmers to scout their fields for the presence of Hessian fly pupae, of which severe infestations have been reported in some areas.

Kansas farmers haven’t had much of a problem with the insect in recent years, likely because of the dry conditions across the state.

Even if only 20 percent of the pupae discovered thus far live to maturity, it will be enough to cause significant damage in some areas, according February extension newsletter report.

Despite the potential problem, the Kansas Agricultural Statistics Service rated the crop in early February as 74 percent good to excellent, 20 percent fair and 1 percent poor.