HPIPM:English Grain Aphid
Author:Frank B. Peairs[1], Gary L. Hein and Michael J. Brewer
Identification (and life cycle/seasonal history)
The English grain aphid is a yellow green to reddish brown, medium sized aphid with antennae greater than half the body length. The cornicles, also referred to as "tailpipes" are medium sized and black. Antennae and leg joints are dark colored.
This aphid overwinters mainly in the adult and nymph stages, but a few individuals may overwinter in the egg stage. Only females overwinter, and with warm spring temperature they begin giving birth to live young. Males appear during the fall and mate with egglaying females.
Plant Response and Damage
English grain aphid colonies often develop on leaves and then move to heads in the boot stage. Aphids may cluster about the bracts of wheat heads or other grains. The wheat kernels may shrivel as a result of aphid feeding. This aphid is a vector of barley yellow dwarf virus.
Management Approaches
Biological Control
English grain aphid are vulnerable to many kinds of common aphid parasites and predators. Common predators include lady beetles and damsel bugs.
Chemical Control
Consider an insecticide application if English grain aphid abundance exceeds the levels indicated below for the current crop growth stage.
Small grain aphids per stem which justify chemical control:
| Type of aphid | Seedling | Boot to heading | Flowering | Milky ripe | Milk- medium dough |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greenbug | |||||
| Corn leaf aphid | |||||
| Birdcherry-oat aphid | |||||
| English grain aphid |
Product List for Aphids other than Russian Wheat Aphid:
| Insecticide | Product Per Acre (Fl oz. or oz. product) | Preharvest interval, remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Fastac ECR,1 | 3.2 - 3.9 | 14 days. 12 hour REI. No more than 0.075 lb AI/A/season. W,T3 |
| azadirachtin1,2 | See labels | 0 days. 4 hour REI. B,O,R,W,T3 |
| Beauvaria bassiana1,2 | See labels | 0 days. 4 hour REI. B,O,R,W,T3 |
| beta-cyfluthrinR,1,2 | See labels | 30 days to grain. 3 days graze. 12 hour REI. Do not apply more than 0.076 lb a.i. per season. W,B,R,T3 |
| chlorpyrifos 4ER,1,2 | See labels | 28 days. 14 days graze, hay or forage. 24 hour REI. Not more than 2 applications per season. W3 |
| chlorpyrifos + gamma cyhalothrinR,1,2 | See labels | 28 days. 14 days hay and forage. 7 days graze. 24 hour REI. Not more than 2 applications per season. See labels for additional restrictions for individual active ingredients. W3 |
| Cobalt AdvancedR,1 | 6-13 | 28 days. 14 hay and forage. 7 days graze. 24 hour REI. Not more than 2 applications per season. See labels for additional restrictions for individual active ingredients. W3 |
| clothianidin2 | See labels | Seed treatment. 12 hour REI. B,O,R,W,T3 |
| Grandevo1 | 2-3 lbs | 0 days. 4 hour REI. B,O,R,W,T3 |
| dimethoate1,2 | See labels | 35 days grain. 14 days graze. 48 hour REI. Not more than two applications per season. W3 |
| Sivanto Prime1 | 7 - 10.5 | 21 days. 4 hour REI. Maximum 0.365 lb AI/acre/season. B,O,R,T,W3 |
| gamma cyhalothrinR,1,2 | See labels. | 30 days. 24 hour REI. Not more than 0.06 lb ai/A/season. Best control before
insects roll leaves. After boot stage, suppression only. W,T3 |
| imidacloprid1 | See labels | 45 days to graze. May not perform well in dry soil. W,B,R,T3 |
| lambda cyhalothrinR,1,2 | See labels. | 30 days. 24 hour REI. Not more than 0.06 lb ai/A/season. Best control before
insects roll leaves. After boot stage, suppression only. W,T3 |
| BesiegeR | 6 - 10 | 30 days. 24 hour REI. Not more than 0.06 lb ai/A/season. B,O,R,T,W3 |
| Endigo ZCR,1 | 3.5-4.5 | 30 days. 7 days graze or forage. 24 hour REI. Not more than 9 fl oz product/season. See labels for additional restrictions for individual active ingredients. B3 |
| Transform1 | 0.75 - 1.5 | 14 days grain or straw, 7 days grazing, fodder or hay. 24 hour REI. No more than two applications per season, no more than 0.09 lb a.i./season. B,W,T3 |
| thiamethoxam 2 | See labels | Seed treatment. 12 hour REI. B,O,R,W,T3 |
| zeta cyptermethrin R,1 | See labels | 14 days. See label. B,O,R,W,T3 |
| StallionR,1 | 5.0-11.75 | 14 days forage and hay, 28 days grain and straw. 24 hr REI. Extremely Hazardous to Bees! No more than 11.75 oz per application, 23.5 oz per season. W3 |
| RRestricted use pesticide 1Labeled for chemigation 2Generic active ingredient, several formulations. 3Labeled on W (wheat), B (barley), O (oats), R (rye), T (triticale). | ||
The information herein is supplied with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and that listing of commercial products, necessary to this guide, implies no endorsement by the authors or the Extension Services of Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming or Montana. Criticism of products or equipment not listed is neither implied nor intended. Due to constantly changing labels, laws and regulations, the Extension Services can assume no liability for the suggested use of chemicals contained herein. Pesticides must be applied legally complying with all label directions and precautions on the pesticide container and any supplemental labeling and rules of state and federal pesticide regulatory agencies. State rules and regulations and special pesticide use allowances may vary from state to state: contact your State Department of Agriculture for the rules, regulations and allowances applicable in your state and locality.
