Sugarcane Aphid

By Everett Brazil, III

The sugarcane aphid (SCA) has damaged grain sorghum crops across Oklahoma and Texas for the past few years, and in the process, many producers have seen severe crop damage and yield loss. But researchers at many universities, including Oklahoma State University, (OSU) have identified grain sorghum varieties that exhibit tolerance to the pest, which can help producers keep some yield as they try to control the SCA.

The SCA first appeared in Oklahoma in 2014, and quickly began damaging fields across the state.

“2014 was when we saw them in Oklahoma for the first time,” said Gary Strickland, OSU Cooperative Extension agent for Jackson County, Altus. Strickland previously served as the OSU grain sorghum extension researcher and continues to study the crop today. “2016 turned out to be better than expected.”

The SCA is a tiny insect that feeds off the nutrients of grain sorghum plants. Infestations can spread quickly.

“They have piercing, sucking mouthparts. They are eating on the juices of the plant, the sap in the plant,” Strickland said. “They then excrete ‘honeydo,’ and if look at their colonies, you might have one or two, and the next day, you might have 50 or 60.”

Pick up the May issue to learn more!