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Soybean aphid

Soybean aphid (Aphis glycines) is the most economically important insect pest of soybean in Iowa. It is sporadic, but when outbreaks occur yield can be reduced up to 40%. Scouting plants throughout the growing season is important for monitoring aphid populations and knowing when management is required.

soybean aphid
Left: soybean aphids on a soybean leaflet. Photo by Ashley Dean. Right: comparison of a normal soybean leaflet and one with sooty mold development on aphid honeydew. Photo by Daren Mueller.

An encyclopedia article details soybean aphid identification, biology, plant injury, scouting, and management. This includes how to track growing degree days and a sampling plan for aphids.

Soybean aphid encyclopedia article

The Iowa Environmental Mesonet hosts a Pest Forecasting page where growing degree days for soybean aphid development may be tracked. 

Track soybean aphid development

Annually, spring scouting alerts for Iowa are posted on the Integrated Crop Management News page. Throughout the growing season, additional updates on soybean aphid activity may be posted on ICM News or on the Integrated Crop Management Blog page.

If you would like to receive timely alerts of soybean aphid activity in Iowa via text messaging, sign up for the Iowa Pest Alert Network!