[1] It is considered a major pest in cereal crops, especially in temperate regions, as well as other hosts in parts of Northern Europe.

[4] In Northern America, it is found to overwinter on Prunus virginiana (common choke-cherry).

[2] In spring, it attacks all major cereals and pasture grasses; particularly barley, oats, wheat and other Gramineae plant species.

[2] A number of aphidophagous arthropods feed on R. padi and can reduce their population density.

Because of R. padi's distribution at the base of cereal stems, generalist predators such as carabids and spiders can reduce their population density.