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South Australian farmers and agronomists are being called on to assist with research into bluegreen aphid (Acyrthosiphon kondoi)
Australia
October 12, 2010
Following the discovery last year of a new virulent bluegreen aphid biotype close to Adelaide and south of Keith in the South-East, the SA Research and Development Institute (SARDI) Pasture Research group is seeking reports of unusual aphid damage this season on medics, lucerne, lentils and vetch.
The group is developing a rapid DNA-based screening test to identify this new aphid over the next 12 months.
According to PestFacts SA and Western Victoria, a service provided by the National Invertebrate Pest Initiative and supported by growers and the Australian Government through the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC), bluegreen aphids measure up to 3 mm long as adults.
Both the winged and wingless forms are a matt bluish-green colour. SARDI pasture scientist Alan Humphries is encouraging agronomists and farmers to send live aphids (at least 50 per sample) in a container along with some host plant material.
He says samples will be stored until the test is available and will allow researchers to map the distribution of the two aphid populations for the 2010 season.
Please send live aphids with host plant along with observations on the severity of pasture or crop damage to:
Alan Humphries
PO Box 397
Adelaide SA 5001.
For further details contact Alan on alan.humphries@sa.gov.au or 0427 090 959.
Information about bluegreen aphids is also available at GRDC’s online service at www.grdc.com.au/pestlinks.
More news from:
. GRDC (Grains Research & Development Corporation)
. SARDI (South Australian Research & Development Institute)
Website: http://www.grdc.com.au Published: October 11, 2010 |
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