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Aphid populations down, but more resistance occurring in Minnesota

An Integrated Pest Management Specialist says while soybean aphid populations in Minnesota are down, more insecticide resistance is occurring.

Bruce Potter with the University of Minnesota tells Brownfield aphid numbers seem to be lower for this time of year, presumably because of late planting and consistent moisture.

But that’s not the case everywhere.

“Little drier conditions, kind of a little on the edge of drought, and early planting (are conducive to aphids).  That’s what we’re seeing in northwest Minnesota, and that’s where the problems are.”

He says aphid pressure has reached economic threshold in that part of the state, and levels as far south as Wilmar could break within a week.

Potter says the bigger concern right now is aphid resistance to pyrethroid insecticides first identified in southern Minnesota two years ago.

“That continued in 2016, (that same year) we also had populations up around that Crookston area in northwest Minnesota that had problems.  And we’re getting numerous reports (now), all the way from north of Wilmar up into the Red River Valley.  We’ve got some issues (with) pyrethroids not controlling aphids like they should.”

For growers dealing with aphids resistant to pyrethroids, Potter recommends switching to a different insecticide group like chlorpyrifos.

He also cautions growers considering tank mixes based on University research, but says it might be necessary when certain products have already been applied to a field.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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