Oat aphid

Oat aphids (sometimes called ‘cereal aphids’ or ‘wheat aphids’) can be found on all cereals including wheat, barley and oats. They vary in colour from olive-green to black and are often characterised by a dark reddish patch on the tip of the abdomen, although under some conditions this is not apparent. Adults are pear-shaped and have antennae which extend half the body length. Oat aphids suck sap, causing yellowing and stunting of plants. A large amount of sugary solution (honeydew) is secreted by aphids when numbers are high. This can lead to black sooty mould which can reduce plant growth. Importantly, cereal aphids can spread barley yellow dwarf virus.