Aphids
Sitobion avenae, Rhopalosiphum padi and various other species
Distribution: All wheat growing areas, especially in NWPZ and Peninsular India.
Development: The aphids exist in different stages, viz., winged (alates), wingless (apterous) sexual and asexual forms. The rapid spread takes place through asexual reproduction where females give rise directly to nymphs rather than eggs. Infestation usually occurs during second fortnight of January till crop maturity.
Management: When feeding in sufficient numbers, they can cause considerable damage, but under normal conditions, losses are not much. Chemical pesticides are recommended for this pest in wheat if the level of aphids per tiller crosses 10 during vegetative phase and 5 during reproductive phase. However, there is need to keep watch on this pest. The spray of imidacloprid @ 20 g a.i. per ha initially on border rows and if infestation is severe then in entire field will give good protection against this pest. Generally, natural enemies present in the field help in controlling the population of this pest.
- vikramsrf's blog
- Login to post comments
- 4897 reads
aphid in wheat crop
Attack of aphid is being observed in tarai area of uttarakhand from last 5-6 years. It causes loss upto the tune of 2-2.5 q/ha. This area is mostly under combine harvesting and after harvesting we observed some "suzi" like powder in the entire field. Actually this is tip portion of wheat grain which cell sap was sucked off by sucking pest and during threashing process this portion detached from the grain and this way farmers are loosing upto Rs 2000 - 2500 per ha almost every year.