Cereal Leaf Beetle

            Cereal leaf beetles are being observed in a number of fields in eastern and central Idaho. Most fields are not anywhere near the thresholds of one larva per flag leaf. The important thing to remember is that there is only a single generation per year. Dr. Robert Stoltz reports that they are finding larval parasites where they released them last year. 

Green Peach Aphid 

            Green peach aphids are presently colonizing fields in Jerome, Twin Falls, Kimberly, and Paul areas. It is time for everybody, as Dr. Robert Stoltz of Twin Falls says “To get your boots muddy and start turning over potato leaves.” These aphids are usually found on the underside of the lower leaves and are about the color of Mt. Dew soda pop. We have also caught green peach aphid in the suction trap in Parma. This means there could be a problem in that area.

 Capitophorous elaeagni (Russian olive and Thistle aphid) 

            We are catching large numbers of this species in some locations, and at least a few in every other location, with the exception of the higher elevations. This is one of the species that was strongly implicated in the spreading of potato virus Y. 

Russian Wheat and Green Bug Aphids 

            These two species seem to have disappeared from our traps this year. We have some hope   this may continue into the fall planting season. 

Aphid Curiosity of The Week

            We have caught a large number of Siberian elm aphids (Tinocallis saltans) in the Parma suction trap. This is a fairly new introduction. It was found in Canyon County in September of 1986. The host for this aphid is Ulmus pumila, or the small leafed elm tree. In life, T. saltans has a bright, lemon yellow abdomen with dark markings. The thorax is dark brown. As the name suggests, the aphids jump readily. According to Dr. Susan Halbert, you do not want to park your car under these infested trees. “They may crud up your car.”

Funded by the University of Idaho Agricultural Experiment Stations, and the Idaho Wheat and Barley Commissions
 Samples collected on June 18 & 25, 1999