Australia
July 29, 2016

To support growers and their advisers in identifying aphid species, the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) has updated its popular Crop Aphids Back Pocket Guide.

The publication now includes information on Russian wheat aphid (RWA) which was detected in Australia for the first time in May 2016 and is now established in a number of cropping regions in both South Australia and Victoria. RWA has not been detected to date in Western Australia.

Identification of crop aphids is very important when making control decisions and the Back Pocket Guide is designed to assist growers and agronomists in their efforts to correctly identify species observed in crops, this year and beyond. The guide, which can be downloaded via www.grdc.com.au/CropAphidsBackPocketGuide, also contains valuable information on aphid monitoring, aphid management (including measures to avoid the risk of insecticide resistance) and biological control. 

Aphids are a group of soft-bodied bugs commonly found in a wide range of crops and pastures. Adults and nymphs suck out the plant sap and in early infestations this can remove nutrients from the young plants, causing stunting and other symptoms. Many aphid species also transmit viruses through their sap-sucking mouthparts, leading to the largest impacts on crop yields.

Detailed information about RWA, including surveillance advice, identification and reporting, is also available on the Department of Agriculture and Food WA website at www.agric.wa.gov.au/rwa2016 and on the Plant Health Australia website at www.planthealthaustralia.com.au/pests/russian-wheat-aphid

Website: http://www.grdc.com.au

Published: July 29, 2016