Aphis glycines, A New Aphid Invading Illinois Soybeans David Onstad1, Kevin Steffey2, John Shaw1, David Voegtlin1, Glen Hartman3, Leellen Solter1, Les Domier3, Cleora J. D'Arcy2, Michael Gray2, Charles Helm1, Scott Isard4, Phillip Orwick5, and Loyd Wax3. 1.Illinois Natural History Survey, 2 Dept. of Crop Sciences, University of Illinois, 3 USDA-ARS, 4 Dept. of Geography, University of Illinois, 5 National Soybean Research Laboratory During the middle of the 2000 growing season, Aphis glycines Matsumura, a native aphid of Asia, was found colonizing soybean fields in Illinois. Hundreds of aphids were observed infesting every leaf in some fields in northern Illinois, and lower population densities were found in most sampled locations down to the southern-most county. Most surveys in Illinois determined presence or absence in a field by sampling up to 50 central leaflets (of trifoliate) at field edges. The aphid has now spread from Wisconsin and Michigan to other parts of the United States. A. glycines undergoes a complex life cycle in which two hosts are necessary in temperate regions. Sexual stages deposit eggs for overwintering on the primary host, species of Rhamnus (buckthorn). In the spring, winged aphids fly from Rhamnus in search of soybean. On soybean, the aphid produces both wingless and winged adults, the latter contributing to geographic spread of the aphid. In the fall, winged individuals move back to Rhamnus. We observed this aphid infesting R. cathartica in N. Illinois. Yield losses from direct damage have been recorded in field experiments in China, particularly when young soybean plants were infested. A. glycines could also damage soybean by vectoring plant viruses. Many viruses in US soybean fields are transmitted by A. glycines, including Soybean dwarf virus, a persistently-transmitted virus, and Soybean mosaic virus (SMV). When soybean plants are infected with both SMV and Bean pod mottle virus, a synergistic interaction results that leads to more severe disease than infection by either virus alone. Natural enemies may be important in controlling A. glycines. High densities of lady bird beetle, including Harmonia axyridis, an exotic beetle from Asia, were observed in northern Illinois soybean fields. Observations and collections of declining A. glycines populations suggested that entomophthoralean fungi caused epizootics that severely reduced some aphid populations in northern Illinois. One aphid pathogenic fungus (Pandora sp.) was isolated. In 2001, and extensive monitoring, research, and extension work will target this invasive pest in Illinois. 2000 Research Index \| 2000 Meeting Minutes ]
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Aphis glycines,

A New Aphid Invading Illinois Soybeans

David Onstad1, Kevin Steffey2, John Shaw1, David Voegtlin1, Glen Hartman3, Leellen Solter1,
Les Domier3, Cleora J. D'Arcy2, Michael Gray2, Charles Helm1, Scott Isard4, Phillip Orwick5, and Loyd Wax3.

1.Illinois Natural History Survey, 2 Dept. of Crop Sciences, University of Illinois, 3 USDA-ARS,
4 Dept. of Geography, University of Illinois, 5 National Soybean Research Laboratory

During the middle of the 2000 growing season, Aphis glycines Matsumura, a native aphid of Asia, was found colonizing soybean fields in Illinois. Hundreds of aphids were observed infesting every leaf in some fields in northern Illinois, and lower population densities were found in most sampled locations down to the southern-most county. Most surveys in Illinois determined presence or absence in a field by sampling up to 50 central leaflets (of trifoliate) at field edges. The aphid has now spread from Wisconsin and Michigan to other parts of the United States.

A. glycines undergoes a complex life cycle in which two hosts are necessary in temperate regions. Sexual stages deposit eggs for overwintering on the primary host, species of Rhamnus (buckthorn). In the spring, winged aphids fly from Rhamnus in search of soybean. On soybean, the aphid produces both wingless and winged adults, the latter contributing to geographic spread of the aphid. In the fall, winged individuals move back to Rhamnus. We observed this aphid infesting R. cathartica in N. Illinois.

Yield losses from direct damage have been recorded in field experiments in China, particularly when young soybean plants were infested. A. glycines could also damage soybean by vectoring plant viruses. Many viruses in US soybean fields are transmitted by A. glycines, including Soybean dwarf virus, a persistently-transmitted virus, and Soybean mosaic virus (SMV). When soybean plants are infected with both SMV and Bean pod mottle virus, a synergistic interaction results that leads to more severe disease than infection by either virus alone.

Natural enemies may be important in controlling A. glycines. High densities of lady bird beetle, including Harmonia axyridis, an exotic beetle from Asia, were observed in northern Illinois soybean fields. Observations and collections of declining A. glycines populations suggested that entomophthoralean fungi caused epizootics that severely reduced some aphid populations in northern Illinois. One aphid pathogenic fungus (Pandora sp.) was isolated. In 2001, and extensive monitoring, research, and extension work will target this invasive pest in Illinois.

2000 Research Index | 2000 Meeting Minutes ]