Sugarcane aphids expand in Arkansas; confirmed in 21 counties
Sugarcane aphids expand in Arkansas; confirmed in 21 countiesFast Facts:
- Sugarcane aphids confirmed in 21 counties
- Aphids problematic for sorghum growers
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MONTICELLO, Ark. – Sugarcane aphids are being found through most of the Arkansas Delta, surrounding Prairie County and extending to 21 counties state wide.
The insects, which infest sorghum and can sometimes be found in Johnsongrass were confirmed in the three southeasternmost counties in late June.
“Aphids are now confirmed in 21 counties,” said Nick Seiter, extension entomologist for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.
The aphids have been reported as far north as Crittenden and White counties and as far west as Logan County in the Arkansas River Valley. The full list: Arkansas, Ashley, Chicot, Crittenden, Desha, Lee, Lincoln, Logan, Lonoke, Phillips, St. Francis and White counties.
New to the list are Craighead, Cross, Jackson, Jefferson, Mississippi, Monroe, Poinsett, Pulaski, Woodruff. On Seiter’s latest map, Prairie County is an aphid-free island.
Aphids exude honeydew that can grow black mold that inhibits photosynthesis on the leaves and the stickiness of the honeydew can gum up harvesting equipment.
For more information about managing sugarcane aphids, contact your county extension office or visit www.uaex.uada.edu or http://arkansascrops.com.
The Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service is an equal opportunity/equal access/affirmative action institution. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate or need materials in another format, please contact your County Extension office (or other appropriate office) as soon as possible. Dial 711 for Arkansas Relay.
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By Mary Hightower
The Cooperative Extension Service
U of A System Division of Agriculture
Media Contact: Mary Hightower
Dir. of Communication Services
U of A Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
(501) 671-2126
mhightower@uada.edu
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