The latest North Dakota State University Crop and Pest Report is warning soybean growers to closely monitor soybean aphid activity this season, particularly across eastern North Dakota. Researchers say winter survival rates for soybean aphids were exceptionally high throughout the Red River Valley, southeastern North Dakota and parts of central North Dakota. Despite temperatures falling near 20 below zero this winter, cold-related aphid mortality remained below 5 percent in many areas. NDSU specialists say eastern North Dakota will likely face the greatest risk for economically damaging soybean aphid populations this summer. Aphids are capable of traveling more than 100 miles and can reproduce rapidly during warm weather, with populations doubling in as little as 5 days when temperatures reach the low 80s. Agronomists are encouraging producers to begin weekly field scouting from late June through mid-August to help catch infestations before yield losses occur.
