A warmer than usual fall has led to aphids showing up on some winter wheat fields in South Dakota this year. SDSU Extension Agronomy Field Specialist Ruth Beck says most of them have been reported in Central and Southeast South Dakota from mainly four counties, Hand, Aurora, Davison and Hanson.
Beck says it’s important growers check their winter wheat for aphids and if threshold levels dictate to then spray for the bug.
Beck says the aphids are dark green have a brown band across their abdomen. She says aphids carry a virus that is transferred to the wheat and can result in reduced crop yields.