Soybean aphids have been reported in extremely low numbers.
This is the earliest the aphids have shown up in the Dakotas.
But there is some good news.
"In addition to soybean aphids, several beneficial insects were observed. Green lacewing adults were present and laying eggs. Lady beetle adults and pupae were present, as were a few minute pirate bugs and one big-eyed bug. All of these beneficial species are voracious aphid predators. It is important to know that beneficial insects are also present in soybean right now and are controlling what few soybean aphids are out there," says Janet Knodel, NDSU extension entomologist.
Soybean aphids have shown up in the Dakotas earlier than ever before, but it may be too soon to spray.
"Each year we receive questions about tank-mixing an insecticide with glyphosate or other herbicide applications, particularly the last glyphosate application which usually goes on at about the R1 soybean growth stage. We DO NOT recommend this practice. Broad-spectrum insecticides will kill beneficial insects that are naturally keeping aphid populations in check. Aphids that reinvade such a field have the potential for extremely rapid population growth as there are no natural enemies to control them. Conserve beneficial insects. Don't spray until and unless you reach the economic threshold. The economic threshold for soybean aphids is 250 aphids per plant in 80% of the field," she says..
Source: ND Crop and Pest Report.