The purpose of this study was to monitor population fluctuations of various species of Diptera during the growing season of durum wheat, in years 2009 and 2010. The most abundant Hymenoptera species was also included in the study as a control species. The species studied were Cephus pygmaeus, Haplodiplosis marginata, Mayetiola destructor, and Chlorops pumilionis. Samplings of insects were taken in eight periods to cover the late stages of durum wheat. Measurements were made every about 100？m in the field, with five wheat plants per sample, from 10 different places. Total insect individuals on each wheat plant were counted. Maximum number of individuals per plant reached 6-7 insects, except for C. pumilionis which showed only 3–5 individuals. Year X sampling period interaction was also found in some cases, indicating different populations' fluctuations across years. The relatively low populations found in our study may indicate low level of danger on crop production, but the unstable populations of the most multitudinous insect species H. marginata and C. pygmaeus may cover a possible danger, especially for species H. marginata which, in specific years, can be found in great numbers causing severe damages on wheat crops. Combination of pests may result in significant damages and a total recording procedure must be practiced. 1. Introduction Durum wheat (Triticum durum = T. turgidum L.) is one of the most important cultivations worldwide and in some specific regions in Greece, like Thessaly and Macedonia. Wheat cultivations in Northern Greece (Macedonia) sometimes suffer pest damages from various insect species [1, 2], but in general these damages are not significant and crop production is relatively stable [3]. Order Diptera includes many important species of insects like common flies or the herbivorous species Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann), which causes severe damages in many different plant species. Other insect species like Hymenoptera are reported in small populations in cereals [1]. Deligeorgidis [2] reported two thrips species in durum wheat cultivations, but their populations were considered low to cause significant damage on wheat’s yield. Haplodiplosis marginata (von Roser) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) is widespread in Europe and may harm many species of cultivated and wild cereal plants [4–6]. Mayetiola destructor (Say) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), the hessian fly or barley midge, is a very important pest of cereal crops including wheat, rye, and barley [7]. Though a native species of Asia it was introduced in Europe and later in North America. It
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