The soybean aphid, Aphis glycines, was first observed in North America in Wisconsin during the summer of 2000. In August it was positively identified as a new, invasive, pest species and intense efforts were made to determine its distribution in the midwest. By the end of the growing season it had been found in the following States; Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Kentucky and West Virginia. The extent of this distribution suggests very strongly that the aphid has been in North America for two or more years.

The soybean aphid is a native of China but has spread along the western Pacific and is known from Korea to the Philippines. It has also recently been introduced into Australia. The source of the aphids that began the infestation in North America is not known.

Aphis glycines has a complex life cycle that utilizes two very different type of host plants. It survives from fall to spring as overwintering eggs on Rhamnus spp. (buckthorn), migrates from Rhamnus in the spring to feed on soybeans throughout the summer, then migrates back to Rhamnus in the fall.

Because it is a recent immigrant into North America there is much to be learned about it. Where will it overwinter successfully? How far will it eventually go in North America? How bad a pest will it be? There are many scientists in the Midwest that will be working hard to answer these questions and many others. Hopefully their work will help growers limit the impact of this new soybean pest.

Updated: 11/1/00

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