Sugarcane aphids in grain sorghum

Sugarcane aphids made their way into the southern US in 2013, and have since been spreading throughout the country. They are asexually reproducing Hemipterans, each capable of producing up to 60 young. Like other Hemipterans, sugarcane aphids use piercing‐sucking mouthparts to feed on plant sap. This feeding causes chlorosis and necrosis in sorghum, and the severity of damage depends on crop stage. Sugarcane aphids also excrete sticky honeydew, inviting sooty mold infections and causing problems during harvest. Management of this insect begins by scouting for economically damaging populations. If an economic injury level is reached, there are insecticides available on the market for control. Biological control is also an option, but can be difficult to maintain. To prevent high levels of damage, a tolerant hybrid can be planted. Sugarcane aphid populations have the ability to explode due to the insect's biology; scouting is necessary to decide when management is necessary.