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Corn leaf aphids on the mind

A pair of agronomists say some Illinois farmers have corn leaf aphids on their minds.

Chad Kalaher, with Beck’s Hybrids, says some areas of the state were hit hard by the pest last year.

“Looking back in history, higher populations are associated with a 2-year cycle, so that’s a little bit worrisome.”  He says, “I’d say right now that would suggest that we might have higher populations this year as well.”

Stephanie Porter, outreach agronomist with the Illinois Soybean Association, tells Brownfield aphids have been a hot topic.

“It’s still fresh in all our minds.”  She says, “It was just another, I think, example of a later planted crop where a pest kind of popped up and burned us with certain hybrids of all different companies.”

Kalaher says the insects aren’t common, so last year was a learning experience for many farmers.

“What we learned last year is, if we start to see populations that are similar to last year, or even close to that,” he says, “it’s going to drive that fungicide decision a little quicker because guys are going to put fungicide with an insecticide.”

While no outbreaks of the pest have been reported so far this year, both agronomists say scouting and early detection are key to limiting aphid impacts.  

AUDIO: Chad Kalaher – Beck’s Hybrids