Australia
January 3, 2008
According to Dr Darryl Hardie,
DAFWA entomologist in the GRDC
co-funded CRC for National Plant Biosecurity, analysis indicates
a high risk of severe loss in wheat growing areas if Russian
wheat aphid, Diuraphis noxia, enters Australia.
Dr Hardie says the pale green, spindle-shaped aphid up to 2.5mm
in length, has not yet been found in Australasia, but has been
identified as an exotic threat.
Aphid damaged plants display white longitudinal streaks on
leaves and sometimes stems.
Infested leaves curl and remain in a rigid, upright position.
Infected plants are stunted, sometimes with a flattened
appearance, with tillers almost parallel to the ground.
Most of the damage symptoms are due to aphid-injected toxin.
A serious pest of wheat and barley, Russian wheat aphid also
affects triticale, oats and rye.
The aphid has a history of high economic impact in the USA and
the GRDC has recently called for tenders for pre-emptive
pre-breeding strategies to address this potential exotic pest. |
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