Soybean Aphid

Soybean aphids, Aphis glycines Matsumura, were first observed in NY in 2001.

These insects, native to Asia, have been present in the Midwestern US since 2000 causing economic losses.

Soybean aphids are small, yellowish-green, soft-bodied insects with 2 distinctive appendages (cornicles) on the tip of their abdomen. Soybean aphids are the only aphids that infest soybeans in the US. If present, aphids can easily be found on newly unfolding leaves and the under surface of the uppermost leaves. In high populations soybean aphids can also be found on stems, petioles, pods and the under surface of lower leaves. Indications of a soybean aphid infestation can include stunting of plants, yellowing and miss-shaped or contorted leaves, an obvious presence of natural enemies such as lady bird beetles or ants in the uppermost canopy, and a charcoal gray discoloration of leaves indicating presence of sooty mold.

Life Cycle

Soybean aphids have a complicated life cycle with as many as 15 generations possible during the growing season under ideal conditions. Soybean aphids are capable of overwintering as eggs on buckthorn (Rhamnus spp.) a common understory shrub. Fields become infested with soybean aphid in two waves of immigrants. The first wave of aphids arrive from buckthorn where overwintering eggs hatched and the first generation developed. These first aphids in the field usually arrive in early to mid-June. The second wave of aphids arrive in late-June to Mid-July aboard storm systems and the migrants originate in states north and west of NY where the cool weather and the wide spread occurrence of buckthorn encourage rapid spring population buildup.

Management

Monitoring of fields for soybean aphid should begin in mid-June and weekly visits should be scheduled. Fields near buckthorn, the overwintering host, may be colonized earlier and require earlier scouting. In areas without buckthorn, winged aphids migrate in from other areas in mid-season.

Producers should resist “tossing in an insecticide” with the Roundup application because this “insurance” insecticide applications kill many of the beneficial insects in the field which suppress the spider mite populations.  If the weather conditions turn hot and dry, the spider mite population in the field then explode and spidermites are much harder to control than aphids.

Check 20 to 30 plants per field. Examine the entire plant, particularly new growth. Scout late-planted fields closely.

Midwestern guidelines recommend management action if monitoring detects an average of 250 soybean aphids per plant if populations are actively increasing and soybean crop development is prior to early pod fill (R4). Spraying after R6 has not been documented to increase yield, especially if the crop has grown well through the vegetative stages.

Plants are likely to be considerably above threshold if stems or pods are covered with aphids and honeydew, sooty mold covers the bottom leaves, and plants are stunted. Insecticide treatment is probably still of value, but the optimal time for treatment (greatest economic return) is past.

Check for mummies (parasitized aphids) and for winged females. Do not spray if mummies are numerous, or if a majority of the aphids are winged or developing wings, an indication that the aphids will soon leave the field.

Producers are reminded that spraying at early reproductive stages poses a threat to bees. Communicate treatment plans to beekeepers and follow precautions to minimize bee kills.

Table 6.6.1

Chemical control of soybean aphid
ProductLbs. AI/AcAmount of Formulated ProductPHI (days)Comments
*Baythroid XL0.0222.8 fl oz/ac21Pyrethroid; consult the label.
Dimethoate (Dimethoate 4E, etc.)0.25-0.3750.5-0.75 pts/ac21Organophosphate; consult the label.
*Lorsban 4E0.5-1.01.0-2.0 pts/ac28Organophosphate; consult the label.
*Mustang (0.8 EC)0.0175-0.0252.8-4.0 fl oz/ac21Pyrethroid; consult the label.
*Warrior II0.015-0.0250.96-1.60 fl oz/ac30Pyrethroid; consult the label.
NOTE: When treating aphid populations with one of the newer pyrethroid insecticides, it has been frequently observed that the use of this class of insecticide triggers a population buildup of spidermites, particularly during hot dry periods of the growing season. The buildup of spidermites has been observed when the pyrethroid insecticide is used early in the season.