First Canadian records of Aphis glycines (Hemiptera: Aphididae)

Abstract

The soybean aphid, Aphis glycines Matsamura (Hemiptera: Aphididae), is a pest of soybeans in the People's Republic of China, Korea, Thailand, Japan, North Borneo, Malaya, and the Philippines (Blackman and Eastop 2000). It was first identified in North America in 2000 from soybean fields in 10 states in the north-central United States of America, although the route of entry and time of introduction are not known (North Central Regional Pest Alert 2001). Dai and Fan (1991) reported that yield losses caused by soybean aphids on soybeans in the People's Republic of China were greater when the crop was infested soon after planting, and the presence of large populations of the aphid throughout the growing season resulted in 20%–30% yield losses. The soybean aphid can also transmit several viruses that infect soybeans in North America, including alfalfa mosaic, soybean mosaic, bean yellow mosaic, peanut mottle, peanut stunt, and peanut stripe (Hartman et al. 2001). In North America, the soybean aphid is known to transmit soybean mosaic virus and alfalfa mosiac virus (Hill et al. 2001). A survey of Ontario soybean fields revealed the presence of tobacco ring spot virus, soybean mosiac virus, and bean pod mottle virus (Michelutti et al. 2001); all of which could potentially be spread by this newly introduced aphid.