Russian Wheat Aphid

[malleefarmer]

has gone from one isolated sighting I think 3 weeks ago to being declared endemic.
Just another insect?
Or the perfect canadian climate make its a non issue for you guys?

[farmgal71]

Sorry to hear about this pest Mallee.

Perfect Canadian weather? Boy, do we have some land for sale for you...

[malleefarmer]

get the crop in get the crop off hunting and fishing as close to heaven without actually being there

[Rareearth]

It was "noticed" in northern saskatchewan first, about 20 years ago?

Farmers who had infestations expected bumper crops and were let weeping when they pulled in with the combines to harvest, near zero yield.

There is lots of info if you search wheat aphid, "midge"

It impacts our grain grade under the "visual" system😔

[Guest]

dont think wheat midge and russian aphid same thing ? wehadthe midge in the early 80's 50 bu swath and combined sfa ! but last year we had these russian aphids look like an aphid but bright red if its the same. we didnt spray but i think we lost yield

[Guest]

dont think wheat midge and russian aphid same thing ? wehadthe midge in the early 80's 50 bu swath and combined sfa ! but last year we had these russian aphids look like an aphid but bright red if its the same. we didnt spray but i think we lost yield

[Rareearth]

I googled it, they are green.


DESCRIPTION OF THE PEST KEY TO IDENTIFYING APHIDS
The Russian wheat aphid is a small pale green insect with an elongated, spindle-shaped body that may be covered with a powdery coating of wax. It can be distinguished from all other cereal aphids by a second tail-like process (supracaudal process) located directly above the cauda, giving it a twin-tailed appearance when viewed with a hand lens. While easily seen in wingless aphids, in very small or winged forms the supracaudal process may be difficult to see. Russian wheat aphid survives the summer on a variety of grasses and migrates to cereals in late fall as summer hosts die. It is tolerant of cold weather and can survive sub-freezing temperatures.

Following its introduction into California, Russian wheat aphid spread rapidly throughout the entire state, causing serious injury and crop loss. In recent years, however, Russian wheat aphid populations have declined significantly throughout the Central Valley and the Intermountain region. The situation in the low desert (primarily Imperial County) is similar with spotty infestations appearing periodically, generally causing little or no damage. A few fields within each of these areas continue to have problems. Russian wheat aphid appears in the high desert (Antelope Valley), however, it is rarely a damaging pest because wheat heads are usually past the boot stage before damaging numbers can develop.

In most areas of California, it appears that Russian wheat aphid builds to damaging levels sporadically, much like the population cycles of bird cherry-oat aphid. The reasons probably involve natural enemies, pathogens, environmental conditions, and crop management techniques.

DAMAGE
Damage is restricted to specific members of the grass family. Wheat and barley are the most susceptible; rye and triticale, while susceptible, are usually less damaged; and oats appear to sustain little or no injury. Russian wheat aphid does not attack corn, sorghum, or rice. While feeding, Russian wheat aphid injects a toxin into the plant. This toxin is responsible for many of the damage symptoms, the most characteristic of which are white, longitudinal streaks on the leaves and sometimes the stem. Heavily infested plants are stunted, and sometimes exhibit a flattened appearance with tillers lying almost parallel to the ground. Occasionally, particularly during cold weather, plants show a purple color. Infested leaves curl up like a soda straw and remain in a rigid upright position rather than assuming the typical drooping posture. The tightly curled, upright leaves resemble onion leaves. If the awns are trapped in the curled flag leaf, the head is usually distorted and assumes a fish hook appearance. Improperly timed applications of phenoxy herbicides may cause similar injury.

Russian wheat aphid is not a vector of barley yellow dwarf virus.

[ajl]

Have had these aphids in Southern AB from time to time. They haven't done much damage as they arrived too late for much feeding. Get them in the later cuts of alfalfa but don't hear of that much damage. Have seem them and they are green.

[GlennHibbard]

I have read about them first time. Great info!