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Volume 6, Issue 3 (Suppl)
Agrotechnology, an open access Journal
ISSN: 2168-9881
Agri Engineering 2017
September 11-12, 2017
Page 27
Notes:
September 11-12, 2017 San Antonio, USA
International Conference on
Agri Biotech & Environmental Engineering
The sugarcane aphid (Hemiptera: Aphididae): An invasive pest of sorghum in North America
Robert Bowling
Texas A&M University, USA
I
n 2013, the sugarcane aphid,
Melanaphis sacchari
(Zehntner) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), a new invasive pest of sorghum in
North America, was confirmed on sorghum in 4 states and 38 counties in the United States. In 2016, it was reported on
sorghum in 19 states and over 400 counties as well as all sorghum-production regions in Mexico. Ability to overwinter on
living annual and perennial hosts in southern sorghum-producing areas and wind-aided movement by alate aphids appears to
be main factors in its impressive geographic spread in North America. Morphological characteristics of the sugarcane aphid
include dark tarsi, cornicles, and antennae, allowing easy differentiation from other aphids on the crop. Sugarcane aphid
damages sorghum by removing sap and covering plants with honeydew, causing general plant decline and yield loss. Honeydew
and sooty mold can disrupt harvesting. The aphid’s high reproductive rate on susceptible sorghum hybrids has resulted in
reports of yield loss ranging from 10% to greater than 50%. In response, a combination of research-based data and field
observations has supported development of state extension identification, scouting and treatment guides that aid in initiating
insecticide applications to prevent yield losses. Highly efficacious insecticides have been identified and when complemented
by weekly scouting and use of thresholds, economic loss by sugarcane aphid can be minimized. Some commercial sorghum
hybrids are partially resistant to the aphid and plant breeders have identified other lines with sugarcane aphid resistance. A
very diverse community of predators and parasitoids of sugarcane aphid has been identified and their value to limit sugarcane
aphid population growth is under investigation.
Biography
Robert Bowling has completed his PhD from Kansas State University and MS from Kansas State University Department of Entomology. He is the Assistant
Professor of Texas A&M University, USA.
robert.bowling@ag.tamu.eduRobert Bowling, Agrotechnology 2017, 6:3 (Suppl)
DOI: 10.4172/2168-9881-C1-024