Soybean Aphid Update

We made numerous visits to soybean fields in northern Ohio last week to determine the current status of the soybean aphid. No aphids were found in any of the visited fields. Furthermore, no aphids have been found in any of the soybean rust sentinel plots. Although we did not sample every field in Ohio, we feel save in saying aphids are either non-existent or very low in Ohio at this time. Although aphids have been found in other states, their numbers have also been low for the most part.

We still feel a combination of low aphid overwintering plus numerous beneficial insects are combining to keep aphids at low numbers. As always, we will keep an eye on the situation throughout July to see what happens because things could quickly change. Keep checking this CORN newsletter for further updates on the aphid.

A concern we have at this time, which might be more critical because of the current weed situation in a lot of fields, is the inclination for some growers who might want to “help” the situation by adding a “preventive” insecticide treatment in their late herbicide applications. We highly recommend NOT doing this! There are only two things that can or might happen. The first is you will waste money! The aphid densities are too low or non-existent in most fields. There is absolutely no reason to be treating them at this time, preventively or not. Second, because beneficial insects might be helping to keep aphid populations down, an insecticide treatment would only serve to kill off those beneficials, perhaps allowing the few aphids that might remain in a field to start multiplying easier in the coming weeks. We urge you to allow the beneficial insects to do their job by helping to keep soybean aphid below economic levels. Remember: IPM!

by: Ron Hammond, Andy Michel, Bruce Eisley

MM comment: hopefully you've all got soybean aphids on our scouting list...please let me know if you find any aphids, European Corn Borer, Western Bean Cutworm, or any other insects or diseases impacting your crops.