Soybean Aphid:

Soybean aphid populations appeared to be holding steady or possibly decreasing this week. We did receive reports of more counties being infested, but this may have been as much a result of people knowing we were interested in hearing of reports of aphids as an indication of actual spread of the aphid. We now have had reports of aphids in 44 counties. Aphid populations in the heavily infested field in Emporia reportedly declined probably as a result of higher temperatures and predators. Most reports still indicated that aphids are still well below damaging levels in most fields. Many fields are now reaching maturity and some are even beginning to drop their leaves, leaving only some of the later maturing fields at risk of soybean aphid damage. These later fields need to be monitored through pod fill. A map of counties reporting soybean aphids can be found at: http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/entomology/extension/InsectInfo/SoybeanAphid.htm

Phil Sloderbeck and Randy Higgins

Weekly Report from the Kansas State University Insect Diagnostic Laboratory:

The following samples were submitted to the Insect Diagnostic Laboratory from August 12 through August 31, 2004:

    8-12-2004, Wyandotte County: Drugstore Beetles.
    8-13-2004, Sheridan County: Aphids on Butterfly Bush.
    8-16-2004, Osage County: Hister Beetle, Scarab Beetle, Syrphid Fly larva in tree stump.
    8-20-2004, Shawnee County: Gouty Oak Gall on Pin Oak.
    8-20-2004, Ness County: Carpet Beetles in home.
    8-20-2004, Phillips County: Aphids on Pine Tree.
    8-20-2004, Kingman County: Windscorpions in home/yard.
    8-20-2004, Harvey County: Insect feeding damage on garden vegetables.
    8-20-2004, Morton County: Jerusalem Cricket from yard.
    8-20-2004, Reno County: Soybean Aphid on crop.
    8-20-2004, Cheyenne County: Sap Beetles on Sweet Corn.
    8-23-2004, Saline County: Melon Aphid on Morning Glory.
    8-26-2004, Kiowa County: Pottawatomie County: Moth Flies in home.
    8-26-2004, Kingman County: Carpet Beetles in kitchen.
    8-26-2004, Ness County: Lesser Grain Borers in Courthouse basement.
    8-31-2004, Logan County: Lesser Grain Borers in home/yard.
    8-31-2004, Riley County: Carpet Beetle larvae.
    8-31-2004, Leavenworth County: Horntail Wasp from wooden figurine.

If there are any questions regarding these samples or about the identification of any arthropod please contact the Insect Diagnostician at 785-532-4739 or at bbrown@oznet.ksu.edu .

Bobby Brown

Brand names appearing in this publication are for product identification purposes only. No endorsement is intended, nor is criticism implied of similar products not mentioned.

Sincerely,

Phil Sloderbeck                                                                                    Randall Higgins
Kansas State University                                                                        Extension Specialist
Southwest Research and Extension Center                                            Entomology   (Crops)
Garden City

Bobby Brown
Entomology Diagnostician