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Agronomist, Jim Cronin (Landmark), says oat aphids (Rhopalosiphum padi) have been found on volunteer cereals near Cowra in the Central Tablelands of NSW. Agronomist, Neil Durning (AGnVET Services), has also reported oat aphids in the South West Slopes district around Junee, NSW. Thus far, numbers are low but will need to be monitored closely.
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 characterised by a dark reddish patch on the tip of the abdomen. 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, oat aphids can spread barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV). Transmission can occur with very few aphids and must occur early in the life of the plant to cause significant yield losses. BYDV causes a disease in barley, wheat and oats which can lead to the stunting of plants and subsequent losses in yield and quality.
Entomologists are concerned that the overuse of inexpensive synthetic pyrethroid insecticides as ‘insurance sprays’ could be leading to the development of resistance in target and non-target species. Rather than spraying aphids to prevent the transmission of BYDV, it is best to implement sound agronomic practices. For further information on BYDV and management options, click here.
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.
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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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