Management Strategies for Sugarcane Aphid, Melanaphis Sacchari (Zehntner), in Grain Sorghum

Grain sorghum is a drought tolerant crop used in the Mid-south region in rotation with corn, cotton, soybeans, and corn. In 2015 and 2016, research was conducted to determine the influence of insecticide treatment, planting date, planting population, hybrid, and environmental temperatures on sugarcane aphid, Melanaphis sacchari (Zehntner), populations and yield in grain sorghum, Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench. In general, cooler temperatures had a negative effect on sugarcane aphid control with sulfoxaflor and flupyradifurone. Additionally, there was a negative relationship between grain sorghum plant population and sugarcane aphid densities per plant. These data suggest management of sugarcane aphid with insecticide seed treatments and foliar sprays is critical for maximizing grain sorghum yields. Additionally, growers should wait for warmer temperatures to ensure optimum control