A tiny but harmful pest: how industry and researchers are tackling bluegreen aphids

Bluegreen aphids (Acyrthosiphon kondoi) are a major pest of lucerne and other legume crops. These tiny pests feed directly on the foliage, damaging the plant and spreading harmful viruses through crops. What’s more concerning is that the tiny insect has developed resistance to chemicals they’ve never been exposed to before, making the pest more difficult to control. 

Growers' concerns for bluegreen aphids launched a bottom-up research approach investigating chemical application failure in relation to the insect. 

To support the research project, Cesar Australia is calling on growers to send in samples of bluegreen aphids found in pasture seed paddocks. 

The research project is led by Cesar Australia and funded by AgriFutures Australia in partnership with Lucerne Australia.

Featuring:

• Emma Rodham, AgriFutures Pasture Seeds Program Manager
• Dr Evatt Chirgwin, project lead
• Katrina Copping, Executive Officer, Lucerne Australia

Related content:

• From paddock to the lab: send in your bluegreen aphid samples this Autumn - https://agrifutures.com.au/news/from-paddock-to-the-lab-send-in-your-bluegreen-aphid-samples-this-autumn/ 
• Growers asked to send in samples to tackle bluegreen aphid resistance - https://agrifutures.com.au/news/growers-help-tackle-bluegreen-aphids-insecticide-resistance/
• Grower concerns trigger research into bluegreen aphid resistance to insecticides - https://agrifutures.com.au/news/bluegreen-aphid-resistance-to-insecticides/