Success StoryEvaluating Aphids in Wheat, Invasive Species, Insecticide Treatments, Wheatear Effects and the Impact of a Naturally Occurring Entomopathogenic Fungus



Evaluating Aphids in Wheat, Invasive Species, Insecticide Treatments, Wheatear Effects and the Impact of a Naturally Occurring Entomopathogenic Fungus

Author: Raul Villanueva

Planning Unit: Entomology

Major Program: Grain Crops

Outcome: Initial Outcome

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This project was conducted thanks to the support of the Kentucky Small Grain Promotion Council (KSGPC). The study monitored for endemic and an invasive species aphids. The invasive species was not found in Kentucky yet, however in two location aphid populations grew exponentially in spite of several insecticide applications. Visiting both sites (in Logan and Christian Counties) we found that a natural occurring entomopathogenic fungus was able to stop the aphid population. A possible resistance to pyrethroids might have detected but our data was not completed by the fungal interference described above.  Additionally, the funds from the KSGPC partially support salaries of two undergraduate studies. One started her studies for a Master degree in entomology and other will start on January 2018. Several short informative notes and a YouTube video were published online:

Earlier Aphid Occurrences on Wheat May Be a Consequence of the 2017’s Warm Winter

Entomopathogenic Fungus may Cause High Mortality on Aphids

UKREC Princeton Wheat Field Day 2017 - Spring Aphid Populations






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