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Scouting and Economic Thresholds for Grain Aphids
Recent research with cereal grain aphids has provided scouting guidelines that use different thresholds based on the value of wheat. The thresholds are 9, 13, and 20 aphids per stem when wheat prices are > $5, > $4, and < $4 per bushel, respectively. Sampling plans designed to save time during field scouting are available. These plans require as few as 25 wheat stems to a maximum of 100 stems to make a treatment decision. The plans are based on aphid infested stems, and not on counting the number of aphids present.
Field scouting should begin at stem elongation and continue up to the heading stage of wheat. Aphid populations, at or above the thresholds, during these growth stages will result in economic injury to plants.
When surveying for aphids in small grains, make observations throughout the field prior to heading. Too frequently farmers become alarmed after checking a few plants along the margins, especially near shelterbelts where populations are high.
For the two most likely sampling plans, select the section on "Binomial Sequential Sampling Plans for Cereal Aphids in Small Grains"
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