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Agronomist, Philip Stoddart (Landmark), reports that bluegreen aphids (Acyrthosiphon kondoi) have been found in high numbers in dryland and irrigated lucerne paddocks around Mudgee, in the central tablelands and central slopes of NSW. The problem appears to be widespread, with around 20 paddocks suffering feeding damage from bluegreen aphids. Philip says that almost all dryland blocks destined for hay that have recently been inspected are severely affected. The symptoms range from suppressed growth (short and stunted) to severe wilting; although Philip says that this is likely to be a combination of high aphid numbers and the dry weather conditions.
Bluegreen aphids are a large species, measuring up to 3 mm long as adults. Both the winged and wingless forms are a matt bluish-green in colour. This species prefers to feed on legumes and is a common pest of medic and sub-clover pastures. They 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.
Natural enemies are a reliable form of control during the warmer days of spring. Insects which attack aphids include parasitoids (tiny wasps) and predators (ladybirds, hover flies and lacewings). These build up in crops along with the aphids and can reduce or contain aphid populations to below threshold levels in some seasons. However, they have less impact on heavy infestations of aphids.
What is PestFacts?
PestFacts south-eastern keeps growers and advisers informed about invertebrate pests and beneficials in broadacre crops and pastures during the winter-cropping season in Victoria and southern New South Wales.
PestFacts south-eastern is run through IPMforGrains: Best Practice Insect Pest Management, a project delivered by the National Pest Information Network (cesar, DPIRD, QDAF, NSW DPI, and SARDI). This project aims to provide grain growers and advisors with information on invertebrate grain pest occurrence and equip industry with the knowledge needed to implement integrated pest management practices. This initiative is a GRDC investment and includes in-kind contributions from all project partner organisations.
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PestFacts is produced on an ʻas-needsʼ basis and relies upon pest observations and field reports from our subscribers. If you have recently observed invertebrate pests (or beneficial species) in broadacre crops, please contact us to report your observations.
Agricultural invertebrate identification
If you are a grower or agronomist in Victoria or NSW working with broadacre crops or pastures, we can assist you with identifying invertebrates found on farms at no cost. Please contact us for identification help.
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