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ARS Home » Plains Area » Brookings, South Dakota » Integrated Cropping Systems Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #318246
Title: Soybean aphids making their summer appearance early

Author
item TILMON, KELLEY - South Dakota State University
item Hesler, Louis

Submitted to: Experiment Station Bulletins
Publication Type: Experiment Station
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/25/2015
Publication Date: 6/26/2015
Citation: Tilmon, K.J., Hesler, L.S. 2015. Soybean aphids making their summer appearance early. Experiment Station: Pest & Crop Newsletter (http://igrow.org/agronomy/profit-tips/pest-crop-newsletter/). http://igrow.org/agronomy/soybeans/.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Two small, soft-bodied insects have begun showing up in South Dakota soybean. One is the soybean aphid, and the other is a mealybug. Soybean aphids are yellow to yellow/green and are usually found feeding on the underside of leaves. Incidence of soybean aphid has been a bit higher than typical for this time of year (mid-June), indicating that producers should start scouting early and pay particular attention to locations with a history of problems. Mealybugs in June soybeans can sometimes be confused with aphids. They are small insects with a waxy white covering that are typically found on the roots and the lower stems and leaves of soybean plants during June in South Dakota. They are similar in size to soybean aphids and also remove plant sap with piercing-sucking mouthparts. In past years, mealybug infestations have been light and not economically important in South Dakota.