Background
Aphids are tiny green or greenish brown soybean pests that use their long slender mouths to piece stems and leaves. Aphids suck the fluids from soybeans, leaving the plant wilted and yellow.
Damage
Aphids reproduce in great numbers. The population on a single plant can double every two days.
Along with the distortion and stunting that comes from aphid feeding, aphids also produce a sugary liquid called “honeydew.” Sooty mold grows on the honeydew deposits and can turn the soybean leaves black.
Aphids can also carry viruses that severely stunt plants or kill them.
Life cycle
Infestations start when a small number of winged aphids fly to a field and lay their wingless young. Nymphs mature in seven to ten days when they are capable of producing offspring. Most aphids are born female and can bear up to sixty offspring.
Scouting
Warm weather, not hot weather, is best for aphid populations. Because aphid colonies can double every two days it is important to check fields often.
Aphids are found on the underside of soybean leaves and on the lower stem of the plant. Due to the aphids small size it is often necessary to look very closely to count the adults and nymphs.
Economical damage usually starts at 250 aphids per plant, however, with the high price of soybeans and depending on the current growing conditions, control measure should be considered much earlier.
Control
Contact a Harvey’s salesperson to have your field scouted and assessed.
Aphids
Background
Aphids are tiny green or greenish brown soybean pests that use their long slender mouths to piece stems and leaves. Aphids suck the fluids from soybeans, leaving the plant wilted and yellow.
Damage
Aphids reproduce in great numbers. The population on a single plant can double every two days.
Along with the distortion and stunting that comes from aphid feeding, aphids also produce a sugary liquid called “honeydew.” Sooty mold grows on the honeydew deposits and can turn the soybean leaves black.
Aphids can also carry viruses that severely stunt plants or kill them.
Life cycle
Infestations start when a small number of winged aphids fly to a field and lay their wingless young. Nymphs mature in seven to ten days when they are capable of producing offspring. Most aphids are born female and can bear up to sixty offspring.
Scouting
Warm weather, not hot weather, is best for aphid populations. Because aphid colonies can double every two days it is important to check fields often.
Aphids are found on the underside of soybean leaves and on the lower stem of the plant. Due to the aphids small size it is often necessary to look very closely to count the adults and nymphs.
Economical damage usually starts at 250 aphids per plant, however, with the high price of soybeans and depending on the current growing conditions, control measure should be considered much earlier.
Control
Contact a Harvey’s salesperson to have your field scouted and assessed.
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