Sugarcane aphid populations are on the rise in the Rio Grande Valley.  I suspect that we will see a similar increase in aphid numbers as the sorghum exceeds 30-40 days after planting and the insecticide seed treatments wear off.  Thus, we should review the insecticides we will have for control of the sugarcane aphid this year.

The choices for insecticide control of sugarcane aphids is a little different than last year.  When a sugarcane aphid population reaches a treatable level (50-125 aphids per leaf), you have the same insecticides to choose from as last year, but the details in timing of applications have changed.

Sivanto has a similar label as last year but is now called Sivanto Prime.  Sivanto Prime has received a Section 24c label to reduce the pre-harvest interval and can now be applied up to 14 days prior to harvest.  The application rates for this product in the 24c label are 4-7 oz/A.

Transform has received a Section 18, Emergency Exemption, for 2016.  The use rates are similar to last years, (0.75-1.5 oz/A with a maximum of 2 applications per year).  One new restriction is Transform cannot be applied during bloom.  The label states:  “Do not apply product ≤ 3 days pre-bloom or until after seed set”