Young sorghum fields should be inspected for aphids. We typically see two kinds of aphids in young sorghum; the yellow sugarcane aphid and the corn leaf aphid.  This week, I have been finding corn leaf aphids in sorghum fields.

Corn Leaf Aphids

Corn leaf aphids are oval and dark bluish-green and have black antennae, cornicles, and legs. There are winged and wingless forms. These aphids are usually found deep in the whorl of preboot sorghum, but they also occur on the underside of leaves, on stems, or in grain heads. 

Corn leaf aphids rarely cause economic loss to sorghum. In fact, they can be considered helpful. They attract beneficial insects such as lady beetles, which feed on the aphids.

Yellow sugarcane aphids usually are lemon-yellow, but under some conditions are pale green. They are covered with small spines and have two double rows of dark spots on the back. This aphid will inject a toxin into the leaves while feeding. The leaves will turn purple and the plant may be stunted. Once symptoms are visible, significant damage has occurred.

Fortunately, seed treatments usually protect seedlings for 21 days after planting. But sometimes, conditions do not favor the aphid control from seed treatments.

For more information on sorghum insect management follow this link: https://lubbock.tamu.edu/files/2019/01/Managing-Insect-and-Mite-Pests-of-Texas-Sorghum-ENTO-085-2018-1.pdf