Cereal aphids and yellow dwarf viruses among wheat and other large-scale agroecosystems of central North America

Authors: Hesler, Louis; Osborne, Shannon

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/11/2023
Publication Date: 8/27/2024
Citation: Hesler, L.S., Osborne, S.L. 2024. Cereal aphids and yellow dwarf viruses among wheat and other large-scale agroecosystems of central North America. In: Brewer, Michael J., Hein, Gary L., editors. Arthropod Management and Landscape Considerations in Large-scale Agroecosystems. Boston, MA: CAB International. p. 133-151. https://doi.org/10.1079/9781800622777.0007.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1079/9781800622777.0007

Interpretive Summary: Yellow dwarf disease (YDD) significantly reduces grain yield of wheat in central North America. Various kinds of cereal aphids spread the viruses that cause YDD in wheat. The aphids are present year-round in southern North America and extend their range to northern wheat production areas in late spring by riding favorable wind currents. Models to predict the regional severity of aphid infestation and virus transmission in wheat are being developed but currently limited by the complexity of wheat-vector-virus dynamics. Wheat producers may proactively utilize a range of preventative measures such as insecticidal seed treatments, prudent planting dates, and the elimination of grassy weeds and volunteer grain plants that serve as “green bridge” hosts of cereal aphids and yellow dwarf viruses (YDV). Producers may also use wheat cultivars that are resistant to cereal aphids and YDD and implement sustainable practices to support a rich set of natural enemies that provides biocontrol services against cereal aphids and thereby limits YDV transmission in wheat fields.

Technical Abstract: Yellow dwarf disease (YDD) significantly reduces grain yield of wheat in central North America. Various cereal aphid species (Hemiptera: Aphididae) vector the viruses that cause YDD. The aphids are present year-round in southern North America and extend their range to northern wheat production regions in late spring by riding favorable wind currents. Model development for regional prediction of the severity of aphid infestation and virus transmission in wheat is ongoing but currently limited by the complexity of wheat-vector-virus dynamics. Wheat producers may proactively utilize a range of preventative measures such as insecticidal seed treatments, optimization of planting dates, and elimination of “green bridge” hosts of cereal aphids and yellow dwarf viruses (YDV). Producers may also use wheat cultivars that are resistant to cereal aphids and YDD and implement sustainable practices to support a rich set of natural enemies that provide biocontrol services against cereal aphids and thereby limit YDV transmission.