sustainability through science & innovation
High numbers of corn aphids (Rhopalosiphum maidis) have been found in an early-mid tillering barley crop near Ardlethan, in the Riverina district of New South Wales. Agronomist, Terry Edis (Elders), says they could be found on most plants, with approximately 10 aphids/plant in the worst affected area of the paddock. At this stage there are no visible signs of feeding damage caused by the aphids and there are no apparent virus issues.
Corn aphids have an oblong shaped, light green to olive coloured body with two dark areas on the abdomen near the base of the cornicles (siphuncles). Their antennae extend about one-third of the body length. Although corn aphids tend to occur mostly on barley, they may attack all cereals and heavy infestations can result in yield losses. Click here for images of corn aphids.
Corn aphids are known to vector barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV), one of the most important diseases of cereals in Australia. BYDV can cause significant losses in cereal crops, particularly when transmission occurs to young plants. Effectively controlling summer weeds is a good way to prevent the build up of aphid numbers as it removes the ‘green-bridge’ between cropping seasons.
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.
We need your reports
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.
PestFacts map
PestFacts map is an interactive tool that allows users to search and view historical pest reports across Victoria and NSW. The map is updated with each issue of PestFacts to include new reports.
How to acknowledge PestFacts?
With appropriate acknowledgement, cesar grants permission to reproduce information taken directly from PestFacts. To cite PestFacts: “PestFacts south-eastern (<<enter date published>>). cesar pty ltd.”
Contact us
0484 310 697
|
PestFacts Reporter app: |
||
 |
 |
|
PestFacts is supported by
