Soybean Aphids

Soybean aphid colony. Click on image to view a larger version.
Photo: North Dakota State University

SOYBEAN APHID

The soybean aphid (Aphis glycines) is the only aphid in North America able to develop large colonies on soybeans. It was first identified as a pest in North America in 2000. Since then, it has established itself as the most significant soybean pest in the north-central region.

Although infestation can be sporadic and unpredictable, this aphid has demonstrated the capacity to cause significant yield loss if not managed properly. When present in large numbers (several hundred per plant) their feeding can impact plant growth and cause stunting, leaf yellowing, reduced pod set, and reduced seed size and quality.

The risk of yield loss is greatest when aphid populations peak during the R1-to-R4 growth stages. During these stages, blooms and young pods are most suseptible to stress. Damage from aphid feeding also increases when growing conditions are less than optimum.

Soybean Aphid Field Guide

View the Soybean Aphid Field Guide, 2nd edition -a reference for soybean aphid management in the north central region.

Present and future tools to manage soybean aphids

Management of the soybean aphid is an active area of research in the north-central region.

Growers now have an extensive toolbox of strategies to work with, including

  • Agronomic impact

    soybean aphid colony

    Soybean aphids. Photo: T. Heidel-Baker. Click to view enlargement.

    Listen to an overview of Host Plant Resistance for Soybean Aphid by Dr. Erin Hodgeson, Extension Entomologist at Iowa State University.


    The impact of aphids on yield depends how many aphids are feeding and when. Soybeans are most at risk for yield loss when aphid populations increase quickly during R1- to R4 growth stages, when blooms and young pods are most susceptible to stress.

    Aphid populations tend to be higher and more damaging in fields or parts of fields where plants are already stressed from dry soil, soil fertility factors, weather conditions, other diseases, or in fields that are planted late. Scout these fields most closely.

    Factors influencing aphid populations
    Aphid populations vary widely from year-to-year and field to field, depending on

    • Size of colonizing populations from buckthorn in the spring
    • Soybean variety planted - varieties can differ in their ability to tolerate aphid feeding or support aphid development.
    • Soybean plant health
    • Aphid mortality from natural enemies, including
      • predators, such as lady bug beetles, lacewing larvae, syrphid fly larvae, minute pirate bugs
      • parasitic wasps (parasitoids)
      • fungal outbreaks
    • Environment
      • Optimum temperatures for aphid population growth are 75-80°F
      • Population growth will slow, stop, and may even decrease when temperatures are hot (greater than 90°F)
      • Heavy thunderstorms can knock back populations

    Aphids can transmit soybean viruses
    A separate issue from the direct damage caused by aphid feeding is the ability of soybean aphids to spread virus diseases, such as soybean mosaic virus, from plant to plant as they feed.

    Virus infection that occurs in early growth stages presents the greatest risk of yield loss and reduced seed quality, compared to infection later in the season.

  • Life cycle

    Buckthorn

    Soybean aphds overwinter on buckthorn. Photo: T. Heidel-Baker, Iowa State University. Click on image to view a larger version.

    The soybean aphid has a complicated life cycle that is completed on two very different plant species: soybean and common buckthorn.

    Winter
    Soybean aphids overwinter as eggs on common buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica). In the early spring, two wingless generations are produced on buckthorn, followed by a winged generation that flies in search of soybean.

    Although winged aphids are not strong flyers, they can move long distances by gliding passively along jet streams. Spring migration usually occurs during soybean emergence. Soybean located near buckthorn stands is more likely to get colonized by spring migrants.

    Summer
    In the summer, the aphid population on soybean consists of females that give birth to live young females. These female nymphs mature in 5-7 days and begin producing their own young. Cycles of live births can result in 15 generations per season. Under favorable conditions, populations can double in just a few days.

    Researchers at the University of Minnesota have determined that daily temperature is a good predictor as to how quickly aphid populations increase. Population growth will be fastest at temperatures between 75-80°F. Population growth will slow, stop, and may even decrease when temperatures are hot (greater than 90°F).

    The female nymphs do not have wings, but can produce winged aphids when conditions become crowded. Winged aphids may stay in the same field, fly to nearby fields, or migrate longer distances up to 6 miles per day.

    Late summer and fall flight
    In late summer, aphids mature into winged females and migrate back to buckthorn. They mate with winged males and lay eggs. According to David Voigtlin at the Illinois Natural History Survey, the number of aphids at fall flight may be a good predictor of next year's early population.

    Optimum temperature for aphid population growth is around 80°F. From: Demography of Soybean Aphid at Summer Temperatures, McCornack et al, Journal of Economic Entomology, 2004.

    Diagram of the soybean aphid life cycle. From: Aphid Field Guide 2nd Ed. Iowa State University.

  • Scouting

    Soybean aphid visual count card to aid in scouting. Click on image to view card.
    See also Scouting Soybean Aphid, University of Minnesota 2015

    The soybean aphid is the only aphid in North America that will develop large, persistent colonies on soybean. However, other common soybean arthropods may be confused with soybean aphid, so it is important to correctly identify soybean aphid to prevent unnecessary insecticide applications.

    Reliable treatment decisions for soybean aphid start with field estimates of aphid densities obtained by counting the number of aphids per plant. Soybean fields should be scouted on a regular basis because soybean aphid populations can increase rapidly, particularly when winged aphids migrate within and between fields.

    Early-season scouting (May through mid-July) should focus on fields that have histories of early colonization by soybean aphids, particularly early-planted fields and fields near buckthorn, Rhamnus sp., the overwintering host of soybean aphid.

    More fields should be scouted as soybean aphid populations develop throughout the growing season and plants begin to enter reproductive stages. There may not be a need to visit every field every week, but enough fields should be checked to detect increasing aphid populations that require weekly sampling.

    Take note of the presence of winged aphids and alatoid nymphs (with wing pads), high predator activity, and/or diseased aphids. These are all signs that the population may be in decline and/or may leave the field shortly. Scout these same fields again within a few days to note If populations are increasing or decreasing.


    Aphids, winged aphids, and cast skins are visible in this photo. Photo: Michigan State University

  • Distribution

    Photo: Iowa State University
    Click to view enlargement

    Soybean aphid is native to eastern Asia where soybean was first domesticated. Its native range includes China, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Thailand. Soybean aphid is a sporadic pest in China but is not considered an economic problem throughout most of Asia.

    The first soybean aphid colonies in North America were confirmed in North America during 2000. Soybean aphid expanded its range rapidly and is now found in most soybean growing areas of North America and Canada.

    Aphid populations are known to be highly variable from field to field, and from year to year.

  • Management

    On this plant, the aphid population is nearing 250 soybean aphids per plant with the infestation limited to top two trifoliates. Consider spray within five to seven days. Note: beneficials, fungus or heavy rain events may still reduce the population.

    Look for dry parasitized aphids (aphid mummies), indicating that biological control is actively occurring. Photo: Roy Scott

    Scout once a week
    • Begin scouting in late June or early July, no later than the R1 (beginning bloom) soybean growth stage. Continue through pod fill.
    • Check 20 to 30 plants per field, covering 80% of the field.
    • Pay particular attention to late-planted fields, fields near buckthorn (Rhamnus sp.) or fields under moisture stress. Examine the entire plant, particularly the new growth at the top and side branches.

    Use an economic threshold (ET) of 250 aphids per plant if populations are actively increasing.

    • This economic threshold, also called the "action threshold" at which treatment is initiated, should be based on an average of 250 aphids per plant over 20-30 plants sampled throughout the field. It’s a good, robust threshold developed using multiple years of data from multiple states in the Midwest.
    • Do not adjust the 250 threshold down. It was created in the presence of damage by other insects, like Japanese and bean leaf beetles, so it doesn’t need to be adjusted for other pests. It was created with data taken during the biggest aphid outbreak years (2003, 2005), so it doesn’t have to be adjusted because it’s a “big aphid year.”
    • The 250 threshold gives you five to seven days lead time to take action, or even to see populations drop from fungal infection or a heavy rain.
    • Most critical, 250 is below the damage boundary – the lowest point where yield loss is detected. Experience shows that about 400 to 500 aphids per plant are needed before yield loss can even be detected by a yield monitor or in research trials. In the decade since the establishment of ET for soybean aphid, university-based research has continued to reconfirm the ET and the relationship between aphid populations and crop loss. Although crop and input prices have changed, no consistent economic gain can be found with a reduced ET for soybean aphid.
    • The 250 threshold has worked well in R1 (beginning bloom) through R5 (beginning seed) soybeans. Spraying at or beyond R6 has not been documented to increase yield. Look at Soybean Development Stages and Soybean Aphid Thresholds (a pdf file) for good photo close-ups of growth stages at R1- R8 and soybean action thresholds, and A Visual Guide to Counting Aphids for aid in estimating aphid densities.

    Regular field visits are required to determine if soybean aphid populations are increasing.

    • To determine if an aphid population is actively increasing, check over several visits. Heavy rains, aphid fungal infections and active predators and parasites commonly reduce aphid populations.
    • Conditions that favor aphid population growth are cool temperatures, plant stress, particularly drought stress.
    • Check for mummies (parasitized aphids) and for winged females. Do not spray if mummies are numerous, or if a majority of the aphids are winged or developing wings, an indication that the aphids will soon leave the field.

    Consider the insecticide choices for your situation.

    • Pyrethroids (Warrior, Mustang Max, Asana, Baythroid) have a long residual, and work best at temperatures below 90°F. Organophosphate products (Lorsban) have a fuming action, and may work well in heavy canopies or at high temperatures.
    • If you treat, hit the aphids hard and only once. Maximize coverage in pressure and gallons per acre. A proportion of the aphid population is already on the lowest leaves of the plant and those aphids are hard to reach unless coverage is good.
    • Do not use half rates and or a concoction of multiple products. Tank mixes of insecticide, fungicide and/or herbicide are not generally recommended. Soybean aphid, disease and weed pests do not all appear at the same time at economically damaging levels so a single tank mix, while convenient, will not provide satisfactory control of all three pest types. Most important, sprayer specifications such as water volume, nozzle type (droplet size), and pressure must be optimized for each pest situation.
    • Adding insecticide to early-season glyphosate application as "insurance" is not recommended.

    Leave an unsprayed check strip
    An unsprayed check strip will allow you to compare against sprayed areas to determine the performance of the insecticide and the value of the treatment.

    Communicate treatment plans to beekeepers
    Spraying at early reproductive stages poses a threat to bees. In areas with concern about honey bees, read insecticide labels carefully to determine risk to bees and take necessary precautions (for example, do not apply during hours in which bees are actively foraging).

    These recommendations are the cooperative effort of researchers throughout the North Central states, funded with soybean checkoff dollars through the North Central Soybean Research Program and other state checkoff programs.

  • Biological control

    Lacewing larvae eating a soybean aphid. Photo: Thelma Heidel-Baker Click on image to view a larger version.

    Listen to the webinar Update on Soybean Aphid Biological Control by Dr. Thelma Heidel-Baker.

    Aphids are slow-moving, succulent, and generally poorly protected from predators. Therefore, they have many natural enemies. The soybean aphid is only a sporadic pest in most of it's native range in China, Japan, and Korea because of the presence of parasites and predators that keep them in check.

    The soybean aphid would be a far more damaging pest were it not for naturally-occurring biological control. For example, in a recent study of 22 locations in the north central region, more than 50% of aphid-infested fields were kept below threshold level by predators.

    Even though the soybean aphid is a recently-identified pest in North America, aphid predators and parasites are already present in soybean fields and have the ability to delay or prevent severe outbreaks.

    Strategies to maximize biological control
    Entomologists are working on a multi-pronged approach to maximize the impact of biological control in soybean fields, including:

    • Importation of specialist natural enemies to augment resident natural enemy populations. This is called "classical biological control", in which the native range of an introduced pest is explored to identify natural enemies for importation into the United States. A major advantage of this form of biological control is that once it is established, it is free of charge to growers.
    • Implementing ways to maximizing the effectiveness of natural enemies already present, by maintaining a favorable environment for beneficials and considering the abundance of natural enemies in treatment decision-making. Read more about conserving natural enemies»
    • Integrating biological control with other management strategies. Treatment thresholds may need adjusting to account for the contribution of host resistance and beneficials.

    A parasitic wasp (parasitoid) emerging from a parasitized aphid.

    Orius insidiosus with aphid - Photo: Matt O'Neil

     

    Aphid predators are common in soybean fields
    Predators are abundant and the most easily observed natural enemy of aphids in soybean fields. Common predators include:

    • many species of lady beetles and their larvae (especially the multicolored Asian lady beetle, Harmonia axyridis)
    • the incidious flower bug, Orius insidiosus
    • larvae of the syrphid fly (hover fly or flower fly)
    • lacewing larvae

    These common predators are good ones to know. Helpful publications for the identification of beneficial insects are Identifying Natural Enemies in Crops and Landscapes E-2949, a pocket flip guide from Michigan State University, and Biological Control of Insects and Mites: An introduction to beneficial natural enemies and their use in pest management. (University of Wisconsin Cooperative Extension Publication A3842).

    Application of broad-spectrum foliar insecticides will kill beneficial insects, and create the opportunity for soybean aphid populations to rebound in a "natural enemy-free space" if applied too early. This is because aphids are all female during the summer and don't need to mate. The reproduction of natural enemies is much slower and requires time for mating, egg-laying, and hatch.

    Ladybeetle adults (left) and larva (right) are both common aphid predators - Photo: Iowa State University

    Aphid parasitoids are specialized and highly effective
    A lesser known, but highly effective group of aphid natural enemies are the parasitic wasps, also called parasitoids. Parasitic wasps are tiny, free-living insects in the adult stage, but in the larval stage are parasitic. They are highly specialized and effective natural enemies of aphids, and their numbers are reported to be increasing in the north central region.

    The adult parasitoid lays eggs in the host, which hatch and eat their hosts from within, ultimately killing the host. Under favorable conditions, parasitoid numbers can increase rapidly and reduce aphid populations dramatically. In Asia, soybean aphid parasitoids play a large role in keeping aphid populations at non-pest status.

    Entomologists in the North Central region have identified soybean aphid parasitoids as possible agents for classical biological control. As part of an NCSRP checkoff-funded aphid biological control project, a number of aphid parasitoids have been identified and brought back to the U.S. where they have been in quarantine. Several years of research have been conducted on the biology, safety, and non-target impacts of potential candidates.

    A parasitic wasp, Aphelinus albipodus., lays eggs in a soybean aphid - Photo: University of Wisconsin

    The parasitized dead aphid is called a "mummy". It looks like a puffy brown, black or tan version of the aphid - Photo: Dan Mahr

    The larval and pupal stages occur inside the mummy, from which the new adult wasp emerges - Photo: Camila Botero

    Aphid fungal pathogens can devastate aphid populations in humid weather
    Insects, like plants and animals, are attacked by microorganisms that cause disease. In particular, fungal diseases can infect a high percentage of an aphid population very rapidly, resulting in significant levels of control.

    Entomologists in Minnesota and in Wisconsin have found high levels of diseased aphids on soybean, especially later in the growing season. Aphids infected by fungi will have varying degrees of "fuzzy" fungal mycelial growth emerging from the dead bodies. This mycelium produces spores which are released into the environment and infect additional insects.

    Foliar fungicides applied to soybean are detrimental to this group of natural enemies. Fungicide applications should be minimized or avoided to preserve these beneficial fungi.

    Aphids being colonized by the entomopathogenic fungus, Paecilomyces lilacinus - Photo: Bill Stoneman

  • Resources

  • Photo Gallery

    soybean aphid

    Soybean aphids. Photo: Thelma Heidel-Baker

    Adult females on soybean petiole - Photo: Craig Grau and Eileen Cullen, University of Wisconsin

    soybean aphid

    Colony of soybean aphids. Photo: Thelma Heidel-Baker, Iowa State University

    50 soybean aphids

    50 aphids are on this leaf. Photo: A Visual Guide to Counting Soybeans, NCSRP

    Close-up of soybean aphid - Photo: Bob O'Neil, Purdue University

    lacewing eating soybean aphid

    Lacewing larvae eating soybean aphid. Photo: Thelma Heidel-Baker

    ladybeetle eating soybean aphid

    Ladybeetle eating soybean aphid. Photo: Thelma Heidel-Baker

    Orius nymph eating soybean aphid

    Orius insidiosus eating soybean aphid. Photo: Thelma Heidel-Baker

    Close-up of Aphis glycines on buckthorn - Photo: Chris DiFonzo, Michigan State University

    Buckthorn close-up

    Close-up of buckthorn, the alternate host plant of Aphis glycines - Photo: Chris DiFonzo, Michigan State Universit

    Buckthorn

    Buckthorn plant, the alternate host of Aphis glycines - Photo: Thelma Heidel-Baker

    Soybean aphids on growing tip, with dime - Photo: Chris DiFonzo, Michigan State University